Plum make a range of Organic Baby Food and Toddler Food. The biscuits we tried were: Spelt Fingers with Apple, Spelt Fingers with Pomegranate, Oat Rounds with Orange Oil and Ginger, and Minky Moons with Chamomile and Vanilla,

The great thing about all of them is that they don’t contain sugar, only wholegrains and natural flavour. My 2 year old loved them, although the Minky Moons were probably a little bland for a toddler. Prices ranged from £1.99 to £2.15 for a box.

Other products include meals, cereals, sauces and fromage frais. They are available in outlets including Sainsburys, Waitrose and Tescos or online.

Plum have also partnered with some of the hotels featured in my recent article on Top Child-Friendly Country Retreats for Conde Nast Traveller, supplying Plum Baby Food for the younger hotel guests!

I did suggest they should rename their brand and drop the baby bit as it did slightly put me off buying their products for a toddler. It does look like they have rebranded to Plum, although I’m sure I can’t take the credit for it!

I’d like to salute John Lewis because despite being a retail old-timer and something of an instiution, they are ahead of many in their game in that they have embraced social media and have recognised the power and influence of the 1000+ Mummy Bloggers.

Picture this: A hot, humid summer’s day, fake snow blasting out from the doorway, Christmas trees, baubles and mummy bloggers from all around the UK (and even Potty Mummy who writes the Potty Diaries who came all the way from Russia).Armed with a glass of champagne and a Flip Camera kindly provided at the door (no more excuses for no Vlogging), I was ready to find out what John Lewis had in store for Christmas 2010. There were all sorts of fabulous decorations, toys, children’s clothes, fabrics and soft furnishings, kitchen gadgets and hi-tech tvs.

My 2 year old was at nursery and I’m normally delighted to be child-free at events, but she would have loved it. John Lewis laid on a creche with some brilliant activities for kids. Which child wouldn’t like to have go at cupcake making?

I was hoping to do my first ever Vlog, but unfortunately my videoing/editing skills need a bit of work before any of my films will make the cut for the public domain.

I’ll be publishing our Christmas Lists soon. Being a mummy blogger, does have some nice perks sometimes

Fussy Eaters v. Foodoholics

There are many children that are fussy eaters, I know a little boy who shudders if he sees a piece of fruit and another who lives on rice crackers. It must be a nightmare for parents to get them to eat. My problem is the complete opposite in that my two-year old’s eating is out of control. My friends say they wish their children ate like she does, but believe me it’s one big battle. Thankfully she does eat healthily and is very active, and as a result is not overweight, although she would be if I didn’t limit what she ate.

Feed me, feed me, feed me!

She only weighed 2.2kg at birth but caught up very quickly and at the age of one, I was told I gave her too much milk and fruit and to cut down. Her huge appetite has continued. All day long she ask for more food and doesn’t seem to know when to stop, even asking for seconds as soon as a plate is put in front of her.

Stressed mother

I find it really stressful as I’m always saying no more food, and it often results in tears or a tantrum. It drives me crazy and I’ve tried so hard not to turn her desire to over-eat into an issue, but it seems to have become one and I feel like such a bad mother!

Zero advice on over-eating

There is so much advice in all the books, parenting magazines and websites about how to get your children to eat, but there’s absolutely nothing about the big eaters (and I’m sure mine can’t be the only one).

What she eats:

• Breakfast: Bowl of cereal, fruit – she usually then wants toast or more cereal
• Lunch: Pasta/sandwich , yoghurt – wants seconds plus fruit
• Tea: Rice/Pasta/Fish fingers, fruit – usually wants more of everything
• 4 snacks a day (includes a handful of dry cereal when she wakes up and a cracker with her milk at bedtime)
• About 20 minutes after she eats her meals, she asks for a snack as she says she’s hungry. I try to string it out until snack time.

All her meals include plenty of fresh vegetables and meat or fish.

She rarely has chocolate, and no sweets or junk food. I used to be really strict, but now do let her have treats like the odd biscuit or ice-cream.

I’m concerned because everywhere in the press you read about the rise of obesity in children, and I am tearing my hair out as I don’t know what to do. Should I keep saying no all the time or should I let her eat what she wants? Should I stick to fixed snack times? What can I give her that will fill her up? Any tips gratefully received.

via momlogic.com

I can’t remember the last time, if indeed there has been one, that I went away for even just one night without my husband and/or two year old in tow. It’s not that I don’t trust my OH to look after her or that I don’t want to spend a night away from her, it’s just that I have simply never got around to organising anything. I can only assume that many other mums are in a similar position.

My OH has been on stag dos and shooting weekends whilst I’ve looked after our daughter. Well, it’s my turn now! A friend and I have actually booked a date to go away on a girls only weekend and leave the dads in charge for once (could be interesting). I can’t quite put into words how excited I am. The world (within a few hours from London anyway) is our oyster.

I’ve come up with a list of the top 5 things I’d like to do.

1. Pampering at spa hotel – do nothing, be pampered and have an all important lie-in.
2. Chic city break to Paris – take in the sites, do a spot of shopping and especially enjoy good French food and wine.
3. New York shopping weekend – hit Macys and Bloomingdales, max up the credit cards!
4. Cool weekend on the South Coast – head to Brighton, go to some bars, walk on the beach.
5. Glamour and Glitz in London – Dinner, show, cocktails in a cool bar and fabulous hotel (one problem, I do actually live in London).

I’m leaning towards the first one, the thought of doing nothing and all that pampering.

What would you do if you had a night away from your husband and kids? It could be anything at all (if money was no object).

If you think luxury country retreats should be avoided with children, then think again. Have a read of my latest article, written for Conde Nast Traveller, featuring ten of the best child-friendly country hotels in the UK, places you can escape to in the UK with your children and not feel uncomfortable or out of place.

What’s great about these places is that they actually welcome children of all ages, including babies. Many have crèche facilities included in the price, and offer babysitting, baby listening service, dedicated kids menus, baby facilities such as bottle-warming and sterilisers, cots or extra beds.

Click here to read the rest on cntraveller.co.uk

If undiagnosed, AS can lead to problems including problems with periods, miscarriage and even infertility.

Mr Lower is one of only a few AS specialists in the country. He talks about what it is and what causes it, what the symptoms are, how it is diagnosed and what you can do about it. Here is the first of four parts – links to the rest are below. It’s really helpful.

Interview Part 2

Interview Part 3

Interview Part 4

I’ve been looking for a hand wash for kids that isn’t full of nasty chemicals (like the ones you get in the supermarkets). The team at The World of Creatures kindly sent me a bottle of  their new Creatures Toddlers Hand Wash to try.

It has a cute little zebra on the front of the bottle, smells divine, doesn’t contain any nasties and is a hit with my toddler, who now feels very grown up having her own hand wash to use. The liquid turns into a foam when it comes out of the bottle and lasts for ages.  It would be a bit easier for her to use it if the pump was easier to push down, but other than that we love it!

The Creatures Toddler Hand Wash ingredients include aloe vera with the healing properties of South African Rooibos, to create a natural cleanser that’s suitable for sensitive skin. It uses 100% natural fragrances and colours, and contains no parabens, petro-chemicals or sulphates.

The product costs £9.50 for 450ml but lasts for a long time. They also have a range of other products for babies and toddlers. You can buy it from www.theworldofcreatures.com and www.cuddledry.com.

There seems to have a been a big backlash following Cathryn Blundell’s (deputy editor at Mother and Baby) comment in the magazine that she finds breast-feeding creepy. I have to say I agree with her in a way.

Never thought I’d breastfeed

Right up until the moment my daughter was born I never thought I would breastfeed for exactly that reason. Up until then, as far as I was concerned, my boobs has only ever been used as accessories to attract men! I found the whole idea of using them to feed a baby too weird and unnatural. Despite breast milk supposedly being better than formula, I didn’t think I’d be able to get over my aversion to it, so I thought it would be straight to the bottle.

The most natural thing in the world

However, the minute my daughter was born my attitude suddenly changed. Suddenly and bizarrely, breast-feeding seemed like the most natural thing in the world. My change of attitude was incredible and it wasn’t something that happened consciously. I did it for 5 months. During this time however, I couldn’t bear to think of my breasts being used for anything other feeding my baby. The thought turned my stomach! I think it all must all be to do with our clever bodies releasing hormones that make you want to do feed your baby, because as soon as I stopped breast-feeding, I couldn’t believe I’d ever done it (especially as my boobs are now ruined).

I do think breast-feeding children who can walk and talk a bit creepy. But that’s just my opinion.

I guess everyone is different. Did anyone else find breast-feeding to creepy to actually do it or think they’d never breast-feed but did?

Following on from my recent post: Is London Really The Child-UNfriendly?, for those  mums who are terrified to take out there little ones (and I know a few), here are some easy things you can do to help make sure you can take them out so everyone has a good time and you don’t come home feeling frazzled.

Start young: Take them out as babies and try to do it fairly regularly – it could be a once-a-month family meal. The more often you do it, the more they will get used to it.

Plan Ahead: Think about where you’re going to take them. Pizza places (Pizza Express, Zizzi, Ask), chains like Giraffe, and informal local restaurants and brasseries are usually good bets. Look for ones that have a buzzy atmosphere, then your child can make some noise without you worrying.

Essential Items: Kids cutlery, bibs and beakers (if they need them) – I always forget cutlery so my poor toddler has to try to manage with adult knives and forks.

Take things to occupy them: It’s understandable they may get bored waiting for food, so take a bag of books, colouring books and small toys.

Arrive Early: Arrive a little before your child’s usual eating time to give time for the food to arrive. The later you arrive, the more tired and  hungry your little one will be, especially in the evening. Plus you will avoid the rush.

Book in advance: This will ensure you won’t have to wait for a table with a fidgety child or even be turned away.

Order their food immediately: So they don’t get bored waiting, make sure their food comes first (or it comes with your starter if you’re having one). Get them some bread to nibble on if they’re getting hungry.

Let them choose: It will make them feel involved if you let them choose what they’re going to eat. Give them a couple of options and make sure it’s something you know they like. I usually order mash rather than fries for my 2 year old, but my OH often has fries (which of course she loves) so she shares some most of his. If they don’t have a kids menu, then get a small portion of an adult dish. Most kids love pudding, so let them have something to look forward to. (Yes bribery does work!)

Realistic expectations: Don’t worry if they haven’t got perfect manners. If they do get fidgety, take them outside for a change of scenery for 5 minutes.

If all else fails: Finally, if your child does have a meltdown, don’t be afraid to end your meal. You could always ask for a doggie bag and take your leftovers home. Give it some time and then try taking your child out to a restaurant again. As I mentioned earlier, the more you go out, the easier it gets and the more well-behaved your child will be.