7 Must-Have Products for Autumn/Winter Babies and Mummies
When the leaves start to turn, it is time to cosy up and get ready for the colder months ahead. New mummies are so focused caring for their sweet bundles of baby joy, but they should not forget to take care of themselves.
Taking care of yourself means you will be a happier, healthier mummy in the long run. Here are 7 must-have products that will help you take care of you as well as baby too!
1. Car seat blanket
When taking the car, take along one of Babyllama’s best-selling car seat blankets.
Made from cotton and velvet plus anti-allergen fabric, it keeps your baby warm and comfortable. Once you arrive, it is easy to scoop up that sleeping little wonder and carry them into the warmth of the indoors without waking them from that nap!
2. Pram footmuff
Something super cosy like this Babyllama pram footmuff for your baby will keep her snuggly and warm all throughout the colder months. Plus, it is just adorable! The zippers on either side make it so easy to wrap baby with warmth and love.
Soon available!
3. Baby-wearing hoodie
Something for you that’s soft and cosy too! A baby-wearing hoodie makes it easy to stay warm AND wear your baby. Perfect for those times when it’s just not convenient to take the stroller along!
Seraphin, 3 in 1 Maternity Hoodie
4. Humidifier
Both mummy and baby need more humidity. While it’s so nice to come in from the cold, that blustery winter weather and the dry heat in your home can leave skin feeling parched. With a humidifier, it adds moisture back into the air to keep skin (and noses too) from feeling dried out.
5. Winter face cream
For you, you’ll want to step up your skincare regimen. The lotions you use in the warmer months are no match for this colder weather. Find a formula that targets your specific skin type (oily, dry, combination, normal, or sensitive) and make sure it’s a creamier version of what you would normally choose. This will help lock the nutrients from your serums deep down while protecting your skin barrier.
Sophie La Giraffe, protection cream
Mustela, cold cream
6. Booties
Babies don’t need hard-soled shoes. But in winter, good booties are essential. Make sure you find a pair that will stay put too. Nothing is worse than realising baby has kicked it off somewhere and now has a foot exposed to the elements!
UGG, booties
John Lewis, baby knit booties
7. Thermo bunny comforter
A heating and cooling Bunny that is going to become your favourite cuddle toy.
Fun, cuddly and most importantly: coming to the aid of those in need! Made of ultra-soft Velvet, the Thermo Bunny is the true Lord of Hugs that inhabits a stylish box. Whenever your child is cold the Bunny is eager to help - just put the pink hot-pack into its tummy - it will make the toy the greatest, extra warm hot water bottle (54 degrees C) that was created to aid:
- aches and all other tummy problems
- colic pains
- being cold, as it will gently warm your baby in cold weather and during long walks
Before the weather gets too cold to handle, make sure you grab these things for you and your baby to have a wonderland of a winter!
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Summer might be hotter, but tender baby skin needs soft materials to keep it comfortable. Babies can’t regulate their own body temperatures quite like bigger kids or adults so having a light blanket or swaddle around is always important. With light layers in blankets or swaddles, you can help baby adjust
Inside a cool room back to outdoors and inside again can make a baby uncomfortable and cranky. Instead, be prepared by choosing one of these 3 cosy blanket fabrics that are light enough for summer.
1. Bamboo
One of our favourite materials for a light summer swaddle blanket for baby is bamboo. It’s eco-friendly which always earns high marks, but it also has some distinctive benefits for you and your baby. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial which means wherever you go, that blanket will stay fresh. It also absorbs sweat and draws moisture from the body so the baby will stay comfortable.
Plus, bamboo is UV protectant. Since you can’t put sunscreen on babies under the age of 6 months, it provides an added measure of protection from the scorching summer sun. And while bamboo trees look stiff and rigid, blankets made from bamboo are ultra-soft, the perfect texture to put against baby’s tender skin.
2. Cotton
Cotton is also a soft fabric for baby blankets and a lightweight choice for summer. It’s very absorbent and gentle, though organic cottons are preferred because they are grown without fertilizers or chemicals which can agitate baby skin. Cotton is also quite easy to care for so when baby drools all over it, you can have it clean and ready in no time.
3. Muslin
Muslin is an incredibly soft cotton fabric that originates from India’s ancient times. It is a wonderful material for baby blankets and swaddles because it is all-natural and completely breathable. It’s freely woven which lets heat escape and allows fresh air to circulate. This is ideal for summer so baby stays cosy, no matter the temperature.
With a muslin swaddle blanket, your baby will be enveloped just like in the womb with a warm, comfortable, and secure feeling. The material gets softer and softer every time you wash it too, making for the best sleep.
Bonus for Moms Too!
When you choose baby blankets and swaddles made from bamboo, cotton, or muslin, you also have a go-to cosy material to help you feel secure when you’re out and about. These materials are so breathable and lightweight that you can use them as a cover for breastfeeding.
It’s every mom’s right to breastfeed freely if she chooses, but even if the laws are on your side, it can feel like everyone is staring at you. When you don’t feel comfortable while nursing, it’s hard for your milk to let down. By grabbing one of these blankets from your bag, you’ll be able to keep your cover without sweating it out until baby finishes.
Need a towel? These blankets and swaddles can surely help with that too in a pinch. If you’ve gotten a little wet on your adventures, you can easily use these lovely materials to sop up water and keep you and your baby comfortable, no matter what the summer has in store!
]]>Newborn babies can’t really do a whole lot when it comes to what we think of as traditional play. But don’t be fooled by their lack of motor skills - babies are learning constantly. That’s why high-contract black and white toys are so important for newborn sensory play. The high-contrast colours help to stimulate baby’s optic nerves and develop cognitive skills. Below are a few of our favourite high-contrast toys for newborns:
A black and white playmat is a great way to expose your baby to a fun learning opportunity that won’t be too advanced for them. The patterns will stand out in their blurry world, and they’ll be practising their tummy-time skills, too. In fact, if your baby hates tummy-time, keeping your baby visually stimulated while they practice laying on their belly can help keep their tears at bay. Engaging with high- contrast playmat will also teach the muscles of the eyes and brain to work together, an important developmental milestone.
BLACK AND WHITE TOYS
Babyllama has many fantastic options for black and white high-contrast toys for babies. Many of the toys, such as the Rustly With Star, also have the benefit of having different textures or making noises. Highly contrasting toys and objects will attract a baby’s attention while also helping them to relax since their brains won’t be working overtime to differentiate many different colours or shapes they cannot yet comprehend. It is, however, still important to observe your baby see how they are reacting. If they seem restless or are continually turning their head away from the toy, it may be time to put the toys away for a while. The world can very easily be an over-stimulating place for a newborn.
TOYS WITH MIRRORS
Toys with mirrors, like the Sensory Contrast Book, are great for infants, as they are just learning how to identify facial features. Their own faces can provide lots of entertainment, making mirrors another tool you can utilize to extend tummy-time. As your baby grows out of the newborn stage and is a few weeks old, they will begin to get the ability to follow movement with their eyes. Slowly moving a high-contrast coloured toy in front of your baby and letting them follow the motion with their eyes is a great way to help develop this skill.
ON THE GO TOYS
Babyllama also has high-contrast toys that can be attached to prams or car seats to keep your baby stimulated and learning even when on the go. These are a great choice for infants who are fussy in the car or pram, as they will provide a calming distraction.
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