Muslin magic: 15 uses

When you have a baby and small children you need endless equipment. But there are some hacks to double-up on certain items. My most used baby item (by far!) is a muslin – it's truly a piece of fabric magic!

Basically, a muslin is a square of cotton fabric that is finely and loosely woven. It dates way back to ancient India. This simple technique gives you one of the most breathable fabrics.

They come in a huge range of sizes, colours and patterns so you’re spoilt for choice!

Here are my 15 uses of a muslin:

1. Lasts forever! Muslin material is durable - I have muslins from over 8 years ago now
2. Burping/spit-up cloth – drape it over your shoulder and you’re ready to burp your baby
3. Blanket – muslins are breathable, because the light and loose fabric allows for air to pass through. So I used muslins for swaddling my summer baby and used smaller muslin squares as light baby blankets when out. This also helps to shield a baby from the sun (summer sleeping bags are often made out of muslin material too)
4. Sheet – use a muslin as a Moses-basket sheet or even for a cot bed (make sure you get the size right for the bed. I had to stitch two together when they were slightly too small)
5. Comfort blanket – muslins come in a range of different sizes, and all my babies have used them as early comfort blankets
6. Shade – a muslin can give shade when you hang it over the hood of the pram/buggy
7. Hand towel – because muslin material dries so quickly it’s ideal as a hand towel
8. Bib – use it as an improvised bib if you don’t have one to hand
9. Serviette – we use muslins for all kids (and even us, adults) during meals
10. Spillage! – use a muslin to mop-up any drink spillage!
11. Toy – you can use a muslin as a peek-a-boo toy, and our kids use it for pretend picnics, and as a bandage for doctor role play
12. Easy to clean – you can easily wash them over and over
13. Changing mat – if you are going out with only a small bag you can use a muslin as a temporary changing mat (put it on something soft – a public mat, or your legs for a sit-down change, or the grass when outside)
14. Makeshift hat – it’s easy to fit it around a little-one’s head
15. Wrap for fragile items – you can wrap-up fragile items into a muslin, or use it as padding

A muslin is your multi-purpose travel companion – the fabric is super light and folds up very small, so it’s ideal to take away with you (and try out some of the above uses!)   

I made a video about this topic too. Go check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZvLnjnOLug 

 

 

15 great things about babywearing

I had to come back with a blog about babywearing :)

Sling, wrap, carrier, pouch – whatever you call them, there are so many benefits.

Our third baby (!) arrived in one of the many lockdowns of 2020 and babywearing has been (and still is) a big part of our every day.

A lot of friends continue to come up to me to ask about baby carrying. This made me think of the many positives for the baby and the wearer. It doesn’t just replace the pram to go for a walk...

So here are my 15 benefits - but there are more. Feel free to let me know your ideas!

1. Handsfree
   A newborn wants to be held a lot. So when you need to do something you put your wrap on. Then you're ready for whatever task – eating with two hands (clearly very important!), light exercise, household tasks, playing with older kids, and even work
2. Fussy
   When a baby is fussy/upset/crying and they’re not hungry then putting them in a carrier will calm them down after a bit of a dance around with them initially
3. Napping
   Getting a baby to sleep in their own bed is a lot of work (but definitely worthwhile to persevere), so putting baby in a carrier will help with naps if the cot isn’t working yet
4. Mobility
   You’re very mobile with a carrier, for example:
1. Shops often have tricky access: steps, narrow doorway, and narrow spaces inside. With baby carrying you can get into any shop and browse without knocking items off the racks!
2. You can run after a bigger child when the little one is in a carrier 
3. The hands-free element needs to be emphasised again - it gives so much mobility
5. Running late
   I had to get this in, as this is often me! With baby in a carrier you can get out quickly and save precious time to get where you need to!
6. Escalators
   Escalators can be dangerous with a pram, so you either have to hold baby in one arm and the pram in the other hand, or find a lift – often a huge detour
7. Hiking
   It's a no brainer that you can only go hiking with baby in a carrier! 
8. Travelling
   Baby wearing is your go-to solution when travelling/city-breaking with a baby - historical stone steps (albeit beautiful - not buggy-friendly), rocky terrain, narrow pavements, huge steps, pot holes, or the dreaded escalators again...
9. Flat head
   Now that newborn babies exclusively sleep on their backs and are often put on their back when awake, a baby’s skull can flatten. So having baby in a wrap for some time every day avoids this
10. Breastfeeding
    You can breastfeed a baby in a sling. Simply adjust according to baby’s position
11. Small age gap/twins
    You may not fancy taking out a double buggy. All you need is a small pram and a carrier
12. Blanket
    You can spread your wrap out on the ground and use it as an impromptu blanket
13. Give your arms a rest
    It's also beneficial to give your arms/hands a rest and avoid bad posture/aches when you hold baby in your arms a lot
14. Wash
    You can easily wash your carrier for plenty more uses to come
15. More cuddles!
    When you carry baby in a sling you get lots of extra cuddles - you and baby will love the contact

Options
Okay, the plethora of benefits are clear. So which carrier should you go for? I personally have several:

• A classic ring sling is extremely easy to put on, adjust and is comfortable. I’ve had the Maya Wrap for seven years now. I also like the October Star ring sling, which uses lovely material with beautiful colours
• A hip carrier – this is for babies who can sit up well, because it is literally a band that goes from shoulder to waist without any knots, wraps or ties. I have the NeoBulle (see picture above!)
• An ergonomic baby carrier. I have the Ergobaby carrier, which is great because the baby has its legs on either side of your body. It's really handy for a holiday with lots of walking and/or hiking involved 

Ring-sling tips
Over the years I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how to put a ring sling on. They’re really easy to fit, but they are also easily badly put on and will result in aches.

There are plenty of videos out there of how to wear a ring sling. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll have your baby ready to go in -literally- seconds!

A few things to bear in mind...

For a newborn baby:

• Put baby on a baby blanket on the floor whilst you prepare the sling
• Make sure you support baby’s head with your free hand until baby is snugly in
• You can put a newborn’s feet either tucked up in the sling or out of the sling - wide to the side
• Feet in – make a little pouch that you sit your baby into
• Feet out – once baby’s legs are out wide pull the fabric up to its belly so that baby can sit securely and cosily
• Make sure that the ring sits just below your shoulder and not too far down
• For head support - use the tail of the wrap and tuck it under the top of the fabric going across
• When baby is small then sit down to take baby out over the top

 For an older baby (six months+):

• The top of the wrap can be much lower on baby’s back so they can look around
• You can adjust the wrap at any time – if the wrap feels uncomfortable, or if baby has fallen asleep and you want to support its head again
• When you don’t use the tail for head support you can pinch it through the ring to keep the fabric out of the way

That's it, happy carrying!

Cafes are calling

10 ways to make cafe outings fun for mum

Photo: own source

The simple moments in life are often the most enjoyable. Going to a cafe is one such enjoyable moment for me. The cafe atmosphere with a big pot of a fragrant black tea, or a freshly brewed coffee (this shouldn't be bitter by the way), or a tasty smoothie combination does good things to the mind.

A cafe outing is cosy and always a little bit special; it's the perfect moment to catch up with a friend, or unwind with reading material that you’ve been looking forward to, or even to get some work done. But you now have a baby, so what will happen to your coffee dates? Luckily nothing. 

If anything your baby adds variety to your cafe outings. You can easily take your baby and on-the-go toddlers to a cafe, and enjoy it yourself - the enjoyment is key here, it needs to stay fun.

Pick the right place. Think child-friendly cafes that are fun for mum, there are plenty of options.

Look out for:

1. cafes whose owners have children themselves
2. cafes with an outside area
3. park cafes
4. museum cafes - they often have a generous inside space
5. cafes that have games and books that you can borrow
6. a cafe with an informal atmosphere
7. a cafe you already know! The barista of your favourite spot would be delighted to see you and your baby
8. department-store cafes - sometimes less cosy but always child friendly and the drinks selection is usually pretty good
9. cat cafes - these are becoming a big thing in Europe where you can go and hang out with cats. Babies and little children are fascinated by them!
10. baby cafes - I've put this last on the list as this is an obvious one. Some are really nice with a beautiful interior for mums to enjoy the outing too

If you are unsure of where to go, explore new cafes during your me-time.

Rotate your hangouts and keep an eye out for new openings. I'm always amazed at how many cafes are opening in town (I guess this does go hand-in-hand with old favourites closing).

For some global inspiration, check out these links of must-try cafes around the world! There are lots of good tips for when you are on a family holiday as well.

• Loads of awesome cafes in Europe
• Independent cafes in the US
• Go-to cafes in New Zealand
• Informal cafes in Australia
• Some hidden cafes in India

Great, you've picked your spot and got there. You've ordered and you've gotten yourself and your baby cosy. 

As a bonus you've thought of some simple entertainment options. For little babies this is straightforward, because they are likely to be sleeping, so you can just take your time. Otherwise they are easily entertained by sitting on your lap and looking around, or you may just need to feed your baby. Take them for a look around the cafe or outside if they are fussy and not easily soothed.

If you have toddlers and older children you can entertain them with a special treat and simple activities. There are lots of card games designed specifically for young kids, even my two-year-old is happy to collect cards, or you can read a couple of short books. Plus reserve some small toys that you only use when you're out.

Enjoy your cafe moment. I often just go with my little family to spend a special moment together.

Try out new cafes the next few times. And for those spots that are just too small, or feel tricky with children, keep them for a coffee date at the weekend when you need a moment of me-time. 

I'd love to know what type of cafes you've taken your baby to.

Nappy change on-the-go

A quick change anywhere

Nappy change

You're out with your baby in the middle of town and you need to change your baby's nappy. Bad timing you may be thinking, and what's more, you'll be in a similar situation many more times to come. But actually, you don't need any official changing facilities. With just a small changing bag and your lap you can change your baby anywhere quickly. If you're in a cafe - either head to the toilet, put the seat down and change your baby on your lap, or pull some chairs together at the back of the cafe (depending on what the nappy situation is like).

...Before I go on, it's best if you see how this can work by watching my vlog.
Enjoy my video, and let me know about your changes out and about.

Bombay Baby

Baby's big travel adventure 

On to Elephanta Island... [own source]

When you have a baby then travelling may be quite daunting. But actually, going places with young children is very do-able and doesn't have to break the bank. 

I fly every few months with my family, usually within Europe. Then, in December 2018 we mixed things up a bit and went on our first long-haul journey as a family. Mumbai, India, was our destination where everyday life is pretty different to that of our own in the south of France. It was a great adventure; we went to an Indian wedding and we discovered lots of amazing places, but we took our time when we wanted to. Our baby girl enjoyed the senses explosion and our son loved the monkeys and the tuk-tuks. 

The food was a delicious highlight and the kids were eating the local food too (mostly the less spicy elements and no meat). We explored local restaurants and we relished the Pav Bhajis at the popular beach stalls. Drinks wise we stuck to bottled water, which the hotel supplied for free (and recycled the bottles). We also enjoyed the occasional fresh coconut from local vendors we'd pass.

Okay, let's go somewhere!

Destination

When you choose your destination think about: what you want to do (recharge/relax, city break, visit family/friends...), when you want to go, and your budget. There are plenty of exciting cost effective places, and check out some baby/toddler recommended holidays in Europe. 

Whatever destination tickles your fancy look into the weather for your dates. Off season will be cheaper but you don't want to be stuck in the Monsoon or hurricane season. When you've decided on a location check out the local news and political situation, it's useful to be aware of what's going on in a new place.

Plan ahead

• If your budget is tight then plan a trip before your baby turns two - under twos almost never pay for flights, just airport taxes
• Passports - all children need their own passport. Take time to sort them
• Visas - children also need their own visa. Some countries have e-visas which are quicker to get, but lots of information is needed
• Tropics/developing countries - ask your GP about any vaccines that you and your baby will need. They may also have some useful advice for your trip
• Think about places to stay:
• Hotels are advisable in a totally new culture
• Instant apartments are cost effective and offer flexibility, this option is perfect in a comparable culture
• Mobile homes give extra comforts for camping trips
• Plan your mode(s) of transport at your destination to get around easily and safely

Packing

Parents often pack for every eventuality and more. I would definitely recommend not to over pack. You'll be schlepping your luggage and trying to use stuff because you have it with you. There will likely be a washing service so you can reuse your things.

Airlines

Airlines have a lot of rules when it comes to carry-on/hold luggage. Each airline has its own policy, so check the requirements online. Airlines always have a good arrangement when it comes to baby food/drink and bulky baby equipment. 

On board

• Odd-sized luggage - two pieces are generally free, but check the airline’s website. A stroller and a travel cot are good options
• Milk/water bottles and baby food - you can bring these on board, just show the items (with your baby in sight 😉)
• Long-haul night's sleep - airlines often provide a cot bed, which can hold a 10kg baby
• Baby entertaining
• Have a range of snacky foods ready - under twos enjoy trying different foods
• Babies love to explore - walk the aisles, or let them explore around you. A bit of interaction won't annoy fellow passengers!
• Fussy baby - take an upset baby to the back of the plane where there is more space and air crew are always welcoming to a baby. Other parents often gather there too!

Woohoo you've landed and your trip was fine! Now, what did you decide about getting around?

Getting around

There are lots of ways to travel locally - bear in mind where you're going. 

• Car hire with child seats - one of our personal favourites = safe and lots of freedom
• A driver - advisable in a developing country where traffic is chaotic. This is was our choice in Mumbai - we enjoyed the passing sights at the same time
• Public transport - great in a well-connected hub, and your baby will be less restricted
• Taxi - for short distances when you have other transport at your destination. For practical reasons (not safety) licenced taxis/licenced private hire cars are exempt of child-seat laws, but check if they supply them. Otherwise you can hire a car seat or take your own (some strollers come with a maxi cosy attachment)

Exploring on foot

• Stroller - handy for longer city walks and on-the-go napping
• Sling or baby carrier - a sling is useful in lots of situations - at the beach, to access lakes, on rustic paths, hilly surroundings, when using the underground (lifts are often far out), for sightseeing and somewhere with stairs! Plus, babies are usually easily soothed in a carrier 
• Baby scooter (the one with a seat) - a great little city vehicle - small, light and very agile. After a baby's first birthday they will be big enough to go on such a scooter. It's a nice way for a baby to stay active, but they can't fall asleep on it!

Babies are adaptable!

Be prepared to be more flexible with your baby's routine on holiday. Nap-time may have to be shorter/at a different time, or they may have to nap on-the-go if you are out for most of the day. But kids are very adaptable, and when some quiet moments are mixed in with action your baby will be fine.

Let me know where you've travelled to and if you have any tips from your holiday, I would love to hear.

Shape it up

Shift the baby weight naturally & get back into your skinny jeans 

Photo by Meg Kannan

A lot is going on during the weeks and months after the birth of your baby (whether this is baby #1, #2, #3...). When you're at the stage where you want to lose some of your baby weight you've come to the right place. You'll find lots of tips on active parenting in this blog.

For the first 8-12 weeks or so after having given birth it's recommended to stick to low-impact exercise, your body needs to heal and organs need time to move back into place. The type of exercise that you can do also depends on how much you were doing when you were pregnant, and what kind of birth you had. To know more, ask about exercise at your postnatal check-up (around 6-8 weeks after birth).

You can stay active in lots of ways even when you are not thinking about exercise. Soon after my son was born I took him for daily walks in the pram - to the shops, to meet a friend for tea or just to get out for some air. It always feels good to set a goal for the outing even if you aren't specifically going anywhere. To be out is the perfect activity, it helps with your energy levels and it structures your day a bit, plus it helps to beat the blues. 

A few weeks after birth I discovered the sling, this opened up a new world. Once I got the hang of using it I could just pop my baby into the sling, and go out hassle and hands-free. At home the sling was always on hand too, my baby would be very cosy, and I could take care of the chores.

When my daughter was born I used the buggy board with our pram. A summer stroll would turn into a good workout pushing them both along. My daughter also went into the sling from early on. As an added bonus I could keep up with my son if he wanted to go out on his scooter. My daily activity would mount up just by being out with the kids.

Fast forward to around 9 months and you can take your baby on a bike with a good baby seat. To cycle with a baby is really practical, you can easily get to those places that are just a little too far to walk to, and it goes without saying that cycling is a great way to exercise. I now have an awesome cargo bike, so I can take both of my children on my bike with extra 'cargo' - whatever we need to take with us. 

Exercising can also come in the form of unwinding. After a long day with your baby you could do with some unwinding (in between feeds!). This is the perfect time for a bit of light yoga or other floor exercises. Get your partner to hold the fort with your baby so you can have some active me-time, add some mindfulness music and switch off for a moment. Try and pick roughly the same time each day so it will become part of your routine. You don't have to keep going for ages, even 10 minutes will be great.

There are lots of ways to get active. When the activities are part of your day-to-day they won't be much effort... now hoovering may not be so bad after all ;)

• Take your baby for a long walk in the pram or stroller. 1 hour = 140-200 calories burned depending on your weight 
• Turn a walk into more of a workout - push your stroller by alternating walking with short running bursts (roughly double walking to running)
• You can also go for proper runs with the stroller
• If you want to take up 'stroller exercise' as a regular thing then invest in a running compatible stroller
• Pop your baby in the sling/baby carrier for a good chunk of the day - baby carrying will double the calories burned compared to walking. You'll have your hands free, so you can be active inside and out
• Dust off your bike. Leave your car at home and cycle - into town, the next village, a friend's house, or a nearby playground... A 20-minute bike ride = 220 calories
• Take public transport more often. Toddlers especially love to use transport and chances are that there will be a considerable amount of walking in between
• An effective bonus exercise is cleaning. When you put your energy into hoovering or mopping it is like a workout at the gym. A 30-minute hoovering or mopping blast will burn almost 100 calories. There is lots of cleaning to do with little ones around, but at least you'll know that it'll be part of your shape-up plan! When your baby is in bed and you're still tidying/cleaning put a good podcast on to make it more fun
• Cooking (without eating throughout of course) is another bonus exercise. Stand up and cook for 45 minutes = 110 calories (around 150 for 1 hour)
• Unwind with a good dose of yoga to recharge your batteries - a 20-minute yoga workout will burn between 70-200 calories depending on the type of yoga you do. If you are keen on your yoga you can work out its intensity using a yoga calculator
• Don't forget your pelvic-floor exercises. They are easy to do and really important to get your pelvic strength back

I would love to hear if you have any other daily exercise tips. Now go and enjoy the time with your baby actively and get stuff done – the multitasking life of a mum!

Baby on board

You're pregnant! But what to expect when abroad (apart from a baby)

Drawing: by my son

The prospect of being far away from what you know when you are pregnant is quite daunting. But follow the "definite dos" below and you'll be rocking your pregnancy.

Okay, so you've moved to another country and you're expecting! That's big news. It may be your first pregnancy, it may be your third, whichever pregnancy it is, it's a huge deal, especially when you have landed in a strange place. Everything works differently in another country, and then there could be a language barrier.

Once the initial 'amazing!' and 'yikes!' moments have past you can start to plan. The reality is much more straightforward than you may think. 

I had moved to the south of France about nine months (ironically) prior to falling pregnant. I had quite nicely settled into my freelance work, had gotten active to meet people and started to learn the language and then I was pregnant. It was huge in every way. I had no idea where to start. I just knew that the pregnancy path would be different to the UK (where I had lived for many years) and to the Netherlands (where I grew up). 

When I found out I was pregnant I let the news sink in for a couple of weeks before I made an appointment with my GP. My husband (who is French) came along for any awkward "je ne comprends pas" moments. The meeting was great and she gave me the names of the other medical people to contact. Plus she started me off on the (long winded) admin trail. In the end my pregnancy was very smooth and I gave birth in a hospital almost around the corner. My baby boy was born and he is now four years old :)

So, onto some definite dos when you're pregnant abroad:

• Make your first appointment with your GP who will give you lots of information. Ask questions even if you don't master the language that well. Some keywords are enough, but you can also ask your partner, a friend or a colleague to come with you
• Find out about the next steps in the process
• At each new appointment confirm the next move 
• Try to stick to one area for the appointments so you can get there easily
• Do some online research on what pregnancy care is like in your home country and then do the same search in the country you live in, so you know what to look out for. There will be English advice forums, country-specific information sites, plus expat groups that you can join
• Enquire about maternity leave if you are working for a company abroad and the pay you'll have so you can plan childcare for when you need it. If you are self employed check out the maternity benefits for entrepreneurs. You should be able to get information through your freelance advice body or social security organisation
• In different countries maternity leave (and the pay that goes with it) varies hugely from just a few months to a year or more. So also check-out the parental leave options (this can be both paid and unpaid depending on the country and the number of children you already have). The following link has information about maternity and paternity leave in a number of different countries
• When you are pregnant enquire about the childcare process and options available. A good starting point will be to contact a local nursery as they will be able to advise you on the steps to register for when the time comes. It took me two months from the initial inquiry to setting a start date for a part-time spot (my son started at the crèche from ten months old). For a full-time space it usually takes longer though
• Plan a trip away after your 12-week scan. You may want to go somewhere to relax or go back home before the new arrival. It's easy to travel when you are pregnant and all will still be calm...! If you already have an older child then going on a trip will be exciting and will feel very special for them. Just let your partner carry the luggage!
• You can fly until surprisingly late if you have a straightforward pregnancy. In general until 36 weeks (if you are expecting one baby)
• From 28 weeks airlines could request a medical certificate, so you will need a note from your GP. Each airline will have their pregnancy policy online, so have a search before you travel
• Get support from mum friends, or kick-start your mother and baby network through: 
• joining an expat group - find them via Facebook and/or international meet-up groups
• a feel-good activity:
• prenatal yoga - a great way to meet other mums-to-be (you just follow what the other girls are doing so you don't need to understand everything). Yoga is a great choice - in terms of activity and mindfulness it is exactly what you need when pregnant
• water aerobics - perfect to alleviate pregnancy aches and pains and funnily enough your belly will feel weightless
• antenatal classes. These are very likely to be offered where you live. They may be run separate, or as part of your general pregnancy trajectory, so the classes could be initiated by your midwife. They will be fun and useful with a number of practical sessions
• Make a list of the type of birthing experience you want. A comparable alternative should be available. Even for example, if midwife-led birthing is hard to find they may have home delivery options, or a more natural birthing unit in a hospital
• Enquire about any post-birth care, some countries are quite big on this with excellent facilities
• Take each stage as it comes. Don't worry about where to give birth when you are only two or three months along
• A pregnancy is a long time so allow yourself some. It won't make a difference to the birth of your baby if you have one appointment more or less, or if you are still figuring out the childcare

Enjoy being pregnant, it's a special time and in many countries, such as France, pregnant women are treated like royalty.

I would love to hear about what it is like to be pregnant in different parts of the world, so tell me about your experience!