Having a Baby

Advantages: Makes excellent espresso, cappuccino and latte coffee
Disadvantages: Needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly

...I've never been particularly keen on drinking coffee at work - the options usually consisting of either a mug of the instant variety made with water boiled in a disgustingly furred-up kettle, or a paper cup of brown-coloured hot liquid dispensed by a temperamental vending machine - so it was with some relief when I began a new job last year to learn that there was an espresso machine at my disposal, with which to make a cup of 'real' coffee whenever I wanted one. I wouldn't term myself a coffee snob by any means, but I'm a firm believer that there's no competition between the genuine article and its powdered or granular equivalent, despite what the Kenco lady in the television commercials would have us believe. NAMING THE BABY Our machine, the quaintly-named Baby Dose, is made by the Italian company Gaggia, one of the world...

silverstreak 04.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia New Baby Dose

Pampers New Baby - Best nappies I have used

Advantages: Keep everything in & dont rub babys legs
Disadvantages: none

...Being a new mum I didn't have a clue where to start when it came to buying nappies etc, the only reason I purchased these nappies was because boots had a offer where if you purchased a pack of these you got a free changing bag. I am now very pleased that I had purchased these nappies, I find them very easy to put on my baby (even when she is wriggling around), they are very soft and don't leave red makes around my baby legs (unlike other brands I have tried). These nappies also keep everything in, I have had quite a few what I call exploding nappies now & not a bit of it has got on her clothes or anywhere else other than in the nappy. Many people bought us nappies etc to get us started so I have tried a couple of different brands now and I think Pampers are the best by a mile and I intend to carry on using pampers as my baby gets older...

soutram 06.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Pampers New Baby

Preparing for a new BABY on a BUDGET

Advantages: This'll tell you everything you could possibly want to know
Disadvantages: It'll also tell you a hundred and one things you don't

...overwhelming for a newborn; so from that point a view a crib is better than nothing. My little one was too tall for his basket at just nine weeks old and needed moving into his cot, so I'm glad I only spent 15 pounds on my basket which included a cover, wipe-clean mattress and sheets from an ebay seller who lived a minute away from my then dentist. When looking to buy a second hand moses basket, bear in mind the following information as taken from the SIDS Foundation website: "It is very important that your baby's mattress is kept clean and dry. Ideally you should buy a new mattress for each new baby. If you are not able to do this, use the one you have as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover (eg PVC) and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean it thoroughly and dry it. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is firm, not soft...

Lizamabug 22.01.2007 (27.01.2007) · Read review
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Review of Member Advice on Preparing for your Baby's Arrival

Baby & Toddler Meal Planner

Advantages: Simple to follow. Lovely presentation.
Disadvantages: Your baby may not want to follow it!

...As every parent knows, the stage of weaning a baby from a milk diet onto solid foods can be a very daunting experience. I had heard the name 'Annabel Karmel' many times in reference to weaning/recipe books & was strongly advised to invest in one of her many publications. I opted for the 'Baby & Toddler Meal Planner'. This best selling hardback book has been around for over 20 years now, but has been recently updated & has a clean, modern feel to it, along with bright colourful illustrations. The book is split into several chapters: Chapter 1 - 'The best first foods for your baby' talks about general nutrition for babies, allergies & other helpful information such as storage of baby foods. Chapter 2 - 'First stage weaning' lists the fruits & vegetables which are best suited to a young baby at the start of the weaning...

sambam000 03.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner - Annabel Karmel

Is there any need for new baby

Advantages: As good as the majority of other parenting magazines.
Disadvantages: Not original enough.

...Anyone might say that there are too many parenting magazines on the newsagents shelves already and i think you might be right so i bought a copy of the newish magazine new baby to see if it could come up with anything different to stand out from the others! It didn't exactly pass! inside it looks as if you are reading any old parenting magazine, there are birth stories, cookery, clothes, exercises and diet suggestions and the good old advice pages, i must admit that it is a good magazine but its not the best one and i would probably only buy it again if it had a specific article that i wanted to read and maybe a nice free gift to entice me. Saying all this though i did like some of the regular features like the Newsbaby, Shopping News and The first thity days (one mums views of her first month with her baby) these were all very...

princesssoapy 08.06.2001 · Read review
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Review of New Baby

mealtime baby bible

Advantages: feeding ideas, tips and help
Disadvantages: mine is covered in food after being well loved!

...Although a bestseller this book hadn't been on my list of must-haves when my first child arrived. When my little man was about 4 months old a neighbour passed on her well loved copy. At first I thought how lovely she's given me an old recipe book with pages falling out and bits of food here and there! Oh joy! She did at the time apologize for the state the book was in and told me it would still be a helpful thing to have as my son started eating. Almost all the cookbooks I have for myself have been looked at and on the odd occasion used so I thought this one would follow suit. I started off weaning my little one with those baby food jars available at local stores and it wasn't long before the food shopping for him was costing more than that for myself. I tried to fix this by making a list of foods that were easy to prepare and puree but...

znh3ra54 16.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner - Annabel Karmel

My Baby Bible

Advantages: great advice, easy to refer to, guide to planning
Disadvantages: none

...Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner is a number 1 best seller and you can quickly understand why when you have checked out the book for yourslef. I have come to be in possesion of this wonderous item as my sister in law bought it for me as soon as she discovered I was pregnant. Annabel Karmel is a mother - great news for me as I am pretty fed up of reading harsh advice in books from women who are not mothers. She is also coron bleu cook. Two great qualifications in my eyes! Inspired by trying to create the best for her own children she has created quick, simple and easy meals for babies through to toddlers. Been as a recent goverment study has shown that two thirds of cancer can be linked to the foods that we eat, giving healthy food to my baby is a big priority. The book itself takes you through...

mussonanna 02.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner - Annabel Karmel

Cordon Bleu for Baby and You!

Advantages: Great advice on nutrition and recipes for non-culinary types (like me!)
Disadvantages: Meal planners a bit of a worry

...Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner is the latest addition in her range of cookery books, which include books for the whole family as well as ones specifically for babies and toddlers. I bought this book on a recommendation by Jamie Oliver's wife Jools (In her book Minus Nine to One - you didn't think I knew her personally did you :)). The book is also endorsed by Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. This, the latest edition of the book, was published in 2004 by Random House (www.randomhouse.co.uk). In the introduction the author explains the need for good nutrition, especially in the first year of life, as it sets a trend for eating habits for life. Her four main rules are:- - Fresh Food - Low Animal Fat - Low Sugar - Low Salt (no salt before one year). Chapter One:- THE BEST FIRST FOODS...

lastkiss 21.01.2006 · Read review
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Review of Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner - Annabel Karmel

For More Sleep With a New Baby Than When Pregnant!

Advantages: Baby sleeps better, space saving, multi-functional, loads
Disadvantages: A bit awkward for a newborn baby

...The Product Amby Natures Nest Baby Hammock. The hammock itself comes in either a raw cotton colour or blue. It comes complete with matress, spring, metal frame and carry bag. It comes flat packed and can be assembled very easily within a few minutes. The natures nest is suitable from birth until around twelve months (29lb) and is suitable for (and extremely beneficial to) premature babies. The sizes of the hammock once assembled are Weight - 10.5kg Height - 60 inch / 152 cm Depth - 38 inch / 97 cm Width - 27.5 inch / 67 cm The Price The cost of the hammock new is £164.99 and you can pick them up on ebay for around £133 new or slightly lower for second hand. Ordering You can order direct from Amby at www.amby.co.uk What Amby Say A baby bed trusted by thousands of parents worldwide, the award...

cookie334 28.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of Amby Baby Hammock Nature's Nest""

.... and baby makes four

Advantages: A new brother or sister!
Disadvantages: Sleepless nights, sibling rivalry .... need I go on?!

..., being pregnant while looking after another child was going to be much more difficult. I felt sick and tired, and back problems made it difficult to lift or carry Rachel. Unfortunately she also started having bad dreams and kept turning up in our room in the middle of the night ? sitting in a chair by her bed for hours trying to settle her back to sleep was the last thing I needed to be doing. After walking back up the hill from town pushing her buggy I'd be exhausted and immobile on the sofa for an hour afterwards. I was conscious that I was not as much fun as I had been before, and I tried to remember to blame it on my back, or on being tired, rather than always saying that I couldn?t play because of the new baby coming. She started to get quite unsettled at the idea of sharing her toys or her playroom, and would insist that everything...

tyllwyd 21.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of Member Advice on Introducing a New Baby Into the Family