What a lucky little boy Albie is.
Recently he received a huge delivery of Burts Bees goodies, both mummy and baby were delighted to give them a go.
Rather than list every single item, we decided to list our stand-out ones that are used daily, or could work as a gift for someone expecting soon.
Shampoo & Wash
One of our favourite stand out items was the lovely Burts Bees Baby Bee Body Shampoo & Wash for his blonde thatch, £7.99, www.feelunique.com
With aloe, oat flour and soy proteins, it's gentle and is sulfate, phthalate, petrochemical and paraben-free. To you and I - no nasties.
I added a 5p size blob onto Albie's fluffy head and gently massaged it in. It gave a fair amount of foam, we had no tears or fuss, in fact he barely noticed (was two busy with his bath shape-fitting fish).
I then smoothed some onto his body, his little chubby arms, working the silky lotion onto his stomach and limbs, and the whole time a lovely aroma of honey filled the bathroom.
After a natural dry to hone his curls, his hair was lovely and soft, non-fluffy and smelt delicious.
I kept drinking in the lovely aroma throughout the next day.
Multipurpose Ointment
We've used this from day dot, the rich shea-butter (a natural fat) based cream not only smells sweet, like almonds, and forms a effective barrier against dryness.
Again, with the Burts Bees ethos, it is 100 per cent natural. It's also pediatrician tested and approved and hypo-allergenic.
Even if baby has any flare-ups the cream is excellent for sensitivity, so both baby and mummy get relief in the form of this non-irritating ointment.
I had this on the side one day, and a friend helped herself thinking it was lip-balm, I daren't tell her I'd earlier been smothering it on his bottom!
This long-lasting number retails around £8.99.
Burts Bees Multipurpose Ointment
This brand is incredible for both mummy and baby - and makes a wonderful gift for a mum-to-be.
Recently he received a huge delivery of Burts Bees goodies, both mummy and baby were delighted to give them a go.
Rather than list every single item, we decided to list our stand-out ones that are used daily, or could work as a gift for someone expecting soon.
Shampoo & Wash
One of our favourite stand out items was the lovely Burts Bees Baby Bee Body Shampoo & Wash for his blonde thatch, £7.99, www.feelunique.com
With aloe, oat flour and soy proteins, it's gentle and is sulfate, phthalate, petrochemical and paraben-free. To you and I - no nasties.
I added a 5p size blob onto Albie's fluffy head and gently massaged it in. It gave a fair amount of foam, we had no tears or fuss, in fact he barely noticed (was two busy with his bath shape-fitting fish).
I then smoothed some onto his body, his little chubby arms, working the silky lotion onto his stomach and limbs, and the whole time a lovely aroma of honey filled the bathroom.
After a natural dry to hone his curls, his hair was lovely and soft, non-fluffy and smelt delicious.
I kept drinking in the lovely aroma throughout the next day.
Multipurpose Ointment
We've used this from day dot, the rich shea-butter (a natural fat) based cream not only smells sweet, like almonds, and forms a effective barrier against dryness.
Again, with the Burts Bees ethos, it is 100 per cent natural. It's also pediatrician tested and approved and hypo-allergenic.
Even if baby has any flare-ups the cream is excellent for sensitivity, so both baby and mummy get relief in the form of this non-irritating ointment.
I had this on the side one day, and a friend helped herself thinking it was lip-balm, I daren't tell her I'd earlier been smothering it on his bottom!
This long-lasting number retails around £8.99.
Burts Bees Multipurpose Ointment
This brand is incredible for both mummy and baby - and makes a wonderful gift for a mum-to-be.
I'll be honest, I am generally not a fan of subscription boxes because I am usually diappointed with the contents and feel that I could have picked a better selection myself for the money. However, we at BUBS have discovered one that is actually worth the pennies, either as a treat for yourself or a lovely gift for a pregnant mum-to-be or a new mum. It contains really quality nice products you may not have tried yet and need to know about. Really lovely.
The Nonabox is a new personalised subscription service which delivers to your door a beautifully presented luxury feel box of personalised products for mother and baby, suitable for pregnancy and the first two years of a baby’s life. Filled with hand-selected products from some of the UK’s top brands, each Nonabox is tailored to different stages of a baby’s development. Containing between 6 and 9 products each Nonabox allows mum to discover new product gems.
The box is also always worth a lot more than the monthly subscription cost. Nonabox is only £25 for a monthly subscription, which includes postage and packaging.
We're not going to bore you with endless lists of our baby box loot, but highlight the little gems aforementioned that both CB and LN loved. Our faves were:
Maison Bebe Buggy Hooks, pack of 2:
99p
I find with my bugaboo chameleon there's not enough shopping space, especially with my penchant of random shopping! I can't go a day without hauling home nappies, clothes, grub etc. So the buggy hooks were fab and simple to make my day that little but easier.
99p
I find with my bugaboo chameleon there's not enough shopping space, especially with my penchant of random shopping! I can't go a day without hauling home nappies, clothes, grub etc. So the buggy hooks were fab and simple to make my day that little but easier.
Emma Dodd Books:
These arrived in a few boxes. A friend of mine admitted bawling her eyes out reading these prior to her baby's arrival! They're extremely cute, beautifully illustrated and simple enough for baby, toddler to understand how much they're loved. Such a wonderful collection. Our fave is 'Me', but 'You' is pretty cool too.
Nonabox launched in March 2012 in Spain and spurred on by its instant success it opened up in Italy, Germany, Austria and the UK in September 2013. It is already a hit with over 200,000 mums. In October 2013 HRH Felipe, Prince of Asturias, presented the founders with ´Best Product and Service´ at the annual Spain Start Up and Investor Summit. Now Nonabox has hit the UK.
Remember that every month they send out a box which is tailored to your stage and baby´s age. Sign up at www.nonabox.co.uk
CB and LN
These arrived in a few boxes. A friend of mine admitted bawling her eyes out reading these prior to her baby's arrival! They're extremely cute, beautifully illustrated and simple enough for baby, toddler to understand how much they're loved. Such a wonderful collection. Our fave is 'Me', but 'You' is pretty cool too.
I adore this book soooo much! It's a sensory led book with soft fur, and various textures for baby to grab and feel. He loves it, although I think I love it more. It's made me want to go buy more out of the collection, which I should imagine is exactly what nona box hope for their cherry-picked clients.
Love this super large bright red muslin - no chance of losing this one! I'd probably not think to purchase it due to the colour, but actually, it's grown on me, it's thick, strong and mops up milk, dribble and all sorts.
Thorntons Chocs:
Who doesn't love a choccy fest? The timing couldn't be more perfect as having a little one, there's always visitors. I shared them with my lovely NCT mummies.
Who doesn't love a choccy fest? The timing couldn't be more perfect as having a little one, there's always visitors. I shared them with my lovely NCT mummies.
Cloud B Sleep Sheep:
The bubbas loved their Sleep Sheep. CB's bubba is pictured above.
With the help of white noise, the sounds of nature, or even a mother’s heartbeat, our award-winning Sleep Sheep makes the crib the mellowest place in the house.
It has four soothing sound options:
Little Grippers Socks:
£3.50
With slightly elasticated tops no more losing those baby socks every time you leave the house. Fab!
The bubbas loved their Sleep Sheep. CB's bubba is pictured above.
With the help of white noise, the sounds of nature, or even a mother’s heartbeat, our award-winning Sleep Sheep makes the crib the mellowest place in the house.
It has four soothing sound options:
- Mother’s heartbeat
- Spring showers
- Ocean surf
- Whale songs
- Two sleep-timer options: 23 and 45 minutes
- Velcro tab for easy attachment to baby’s crib
- “Regular” and “on the go” version
Little Grippers Socks:
£3.50
With slightly elasticated tops no more losing those baby socks every time you leave the house. Fab!
Happy Nappy:
£9.99
Most swimming classes require bubba to wear one of these. They go over a Huggies to keep in any little accidents. Brill!
Shea Mooti Stretch Mark Oil:
This oil is almost creamy and smells of delicious essential oils. Great for bump. All nice and natural.
£9.99
Most swimming classes require bubba to wear one of these. They go over a Huggies to keep in any little accidents. Brill!
Shea Mooti Stretch Mark Oil:
This oil is almost creamy and smells of delicious essential oils. Great for bump. All nice and natural.
Puckababy Puckabook:
Beautifully illustrated this book is essentially a catalogue of sleeping bag and swaddling products from this French brand, that is so lovely you can put it on your bookshelf! Shame there was no Puckababy bag though :) They look gorgeous!
Beautifully illustrated this book is essentially a catalogue of sleeping bag and swaddling products from this French brand, that is so lovely you can put it on your bookshelf! Shame there was no Puckababy bag though :) They look gorgeous!
Bibby Bib and Hat:
Bibs £4 each
Very cute this brightly coloured yellow bib and hat is so cute we had to mention it.
Pasito a Pasito Spoon:
CB's daughter loves this beautiful teaspoon. Their full baby range is also lovely!
Bibs £4 each
Very cute this brightly coloured yellow bib and hat is so cute we had to mention it.
Pasito a Pasito Spoon:
CB's daughter loves this beautiful teaspoon. Their full baby range is also lovely!
Nonabox launched in March 2012 in Spain and spurred on by its instant success it opened up in Italy, Germany, Austria and the UK in September 2013. It is already a hit with over 200,000 mums. In October 2013 HRH Felipe, Prince of Asturias, presented the founders with ´Best Product and Service´ at the annual Spain Start Up and Investor Summit. Now Nonabox has hit the UK.
Remember that every month they send out a box which is tailored to your stage and baby´s age. Sign up at www.nonabox.co.uk
CB and LN
The Eden be Natural range is a natural, organic, vegan skincare range free from chemicals, sulphates, parabens, artificial fragrance, alcohol and animal bi-products. The range of products is registered with the Vegan Society, does not contain any animal ingredients and is not tested on animals. This is perfect for me being Vegan and a breastfeeding and expecting Mum. (25 weeks pregnant and breastfeeding a 20 month old).
Unfortunately though, many of the products contain lovely essential oils which are not certain to be safe when pregnant or nursing so I stuck to the most natural items below which are suitable for both mum and baby:
I don't usually use soap on my face and body due to it's drying effect but this didn't have that effect at all and was fine for face washing particularly making skin feel nice and clean but not squeaky clean, rather soft. Was therefore happy to use it on bubs who has sensitive skin. I also use it as a handsoap which is good for my chapped hands. Nice to know there are no nasties in it and that it's safe for bubba. Lasts for absolutely ages!!
When you open the pot, it looks like someone poured a liquid in and it solidified in random waves- very 'natural' looking. Smells gorgeous. If you scrape some out and warm it in your hand then rub it on body and bump it feels extremely moisturising. A little greasy at first but soon sinks in. definitely good for extra dry skin and for the baby bump and any stretch mark areas. Also perfect for dry baby skin.
A little pricey but a little goes a long way and it's worth it to know it is ethical and contains absolutely nothing bad at all and is safe for expecting mums and babies.
The products also arrived in lovely packaging with dried rose buds on top, a lovely touch.
CB
I really like NSPA's luxurious range of great value products in general, so thought I would try some bits from the 'Mum to Be' range, which is available from Asda Direct.
The Mum to Be range is designed to cater for the changing needs of your skin during pregnancy and as a new mum, helping to calm and relax whilst also focusing on keeping the skin in good condition.
NSPA Relaxing Bath and Shower Creme, £3.50 for 200ml
from Asda Direct
This is a thick Creme infused with Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E which looks more like a moisturiser when you pump it. The idea is to put it onto a puff or bath gloves and gently scrub with it. It contains Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil, renowned for their skin-softening properties.
I found the consistency nice and creamy, but it didn't lather up much which I do prefer in a washing product personally. Also, perhaps due to my extremely sensitive pregnant sense of smell, I felt this smelt very slightly chemically compared to some other natural ranges.
It contains SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) too which apparently can sometimes cause skin irritation or aggravate serious conditions like dermatitis or eczema because, being a harsh detergent, it can strip the skin and hair of its natural oils. However, I didn't notice this effect, as the moisturing ingredients must counteract it in this case, for me anyway.
Very reasonably priced luxury feeling product though.
NSPA Mum to Be Cooling Leg and Foot Gel, £4 for 150ml
from Asda Direct
This is a cooling and relaxing gel to help perk up tired pregnant or mummy legs. It contains mint oil to cool and aloe vera extract to soothe, as well as moisturising glycerin, and is hpoallergenic.
I liked this as it wasn't TOO tingly, or sticky, but ratjher it felt fresh and light and mositurising. Smells gorgeously minty. Definitely a must-have for heavily pregnant mums!
NSPA Mum to Be Soothing Nipple Balm, £5 for 75ml
As a breastfeeding pregnant mum, my boobies are going through the wars at the moment, very sore! I tried not to use nipple creams in the past in case it interfered with the natural balance, but when things get really bad they are a great help.
It contains Rosehip Oil which is moisturising. You should apply after each breastfeeding session, or if you are expecting, then just to stop general soreness.
I have tried a few different ones, but unfortunately most contain Lanolin (secreted by the sebaceous glands of wooly animals urggh!) due to its ultra moisturising properties. Not very vegan-friendly! However, this nipple balm does contain medical grade lanolin (some purification techniques remove environmental impurities).I prefer not to use any animal derived products. However, I found it to work very well and no offensive smell etc. In the emergency cupboard then.
NSPA Mum to Be Gift Set, £10
The gift set is now on sale in the Baby and Toddler Event at Asda Direct for only £7, reduced from £10
This contains:
Bath and Shower Creme 100ml
Nourishing Stretch Mark Oil 50ml
Firming Bust Cream 50ml
Moisturising Bump Butter 75ml
Cooling Leg and Foot Gel 50ml
Treat yourself for a very reasonable price!
CB
The Mum to Be range is designed to cater for the changing needs of your skin during pregnancy and as a new mum, helping to calm and relax whilst also focusing on keeping the skin in good condition.
NSPA Relaxing Bath and Shower Creme, £3.50 for 200ml
from Asda Direct
This is a thick Creme infused with Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E which looks more like a moisturiser when you pump it. The idea is to put it onto a puff or bath gloves and gently scrub with it. It contains Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil, renowned for their skin-softening properties.
I found the consistency nice and creamy, but it didn't lather up much which I do prefer in a washing product personally. Also, perhaps due to my extremely sensitive pregnant sense of smell, I felt this smelt very slightly chemically compared to some other natural ranges.
It contains SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) too which apparently can sometimes cause skin irritation or aggravate serious conditions like dermatitis or eczema because, being a harsh detergent, it can strip the skin and hair of its natural oils. However, I didn't notice this effect, as the moisturing ingredients must counteract it in this case, for me anyway.
Very reasonably priced luxury feeling product though.
NSPA Mum to Be Cooling Leg and Foot Gel, £4 for 150ml
from Asda Direct
This is a cooling and relaxing gel to help perk up tired pregnant or mummy legs. It contains mint oil to cool and aloe vera extract to soothe, as well as moisturising glycerin, and is hpoallergenic.
I liked this as it wasn't TOO tingly, or sticky, but ratjher it felt fresh and light and mositurising. Smells gorgeously minty. Definitely a must-have for heavily pregnant mums!
NSPA Mum to Be Soothing Nipple Balm, £5 for 75ml
As a breastfeeding pregnant mum, my boobies are going through the wars at the moment, very sore! I tried not to use nipple creams in the past in case it interfered with the natural balance, but when things get really bad they are a great help.
It contains Rosehip Oil which is moisturising. You should apply after each breastfeeding session, or if you are expecting, then just to stop general soreness.
I have tried a few different ones, but unfortunately most contain Lanolin (secreted by the sebaceous glands of wooly animals urggh!) due to its ultra moisturising properties. Not very vegan-friendly! However, this nipple balm does contain medical grade lanolin (some purification techniques remove environmental impurities).I prefer not to use any animal derived products. However, I found it to work very well and no offensive smell etc. In the emergency cupboard then.
NSPA Mum to Be Gift Set, £10
The gift set is now on sale in the Baby and Toddler Event at Asda Direct for only £7, reduced from £10
This contains:
Bath and Shower Creme 100ml
Nourishing Stretch Mark Oil 50ml
Firming Bust Cream 50ml
Moisturising Bump Butter 75ml
Cooling Leg and Foot Gel 50ml
Treat yourself for a very reasonable price!
CB
Frankie Sandford, 24, is expecting her first child - boy, is she enjoying this one!
The usually super slim star looks effortlessly cool in her (not sure if they're Isabel Marant or Ash) trainers, leggings and loose top. But I have to say I think she's due in October....?
I'm due in November and no sign of thighs, bum or bump this big. I'll say I'm VERY lucky atm - however for what she has gained in lbs - I've gained in acne!
Ditch the hair extensions, Frankie, we LOVED your little crop, and embrace those new found curves mumma.
The usually super slim star looks effortlessly cool in her (not sure if they're Isabel Marant or Ash) trainers, leggings and loose top. But I have to say I think she's due in October....?
I'm due in November and no sign of thighs, bum or bump this big. I'll say I'm VERY lucky atm - however for what she has gained in lbs - I've gained in acne!
Ditch the hair extensions, Frankie, we LOVED your little crop, and embrace those new found curves mumma.
L x
Always fun to watch a gorgeous (and usually slim) celeb becoming a gorgeously curvaceaous pregnant Mumma.
Love this dress, and of course we NEVER knock curves, but we don't really condone Kim's
penchant for whacky treatments from 'Vampire' facials, to Acupuncture etc - ALL
during pregnancy. All in the name of staying youthful.
Most of the naughty stuff that some celebs do to keep things looking 'perfect' (fillers, botox etc) should probably be stopped when preggers? How do they look as these treatments start wearing off......
