Taking your baby away for the weekend?

In those early months of parenthood there are many new challenges to face. Some you look forward to with eager anticipation, some are a little more daunting to the uninitiated. Something that captures both of these emotions however, is the trip away. It may be that you have decided to see if having a baby makes any difference to the lifestyle you used to have, or it could be that you need to take your little one to visit their family. But a trip away is an exciting test of how you manage as a family, and all you need to achieve success is a little forward planning.

Obviously in the days when your child is little and reliant on you for everything, it is rather impossible to travel light. I have never yet met a young family who have packed everything in one bag and set off confident they will be able to cope. It is wise to err on the side of caution and pack for most eventualities. If you are visiting family there are many things you can ask them to get in for you, but these tend to be the smaller items such as nappies, milk and wipes. Unless you are really fortunate however, it is unlikely they will have a pushchair or a cot.

So a cot that you can pack and take with you is definitely a wise investment. For family visits and trips away it is a reliable addition to your baby furniture, so it is worth looking at what makes a good travel cot.

What to look for in a travel cot?

As with a good pushchair, a good travel cot is one that you can put up and take down, preferably with one hand (as baby will no doubt be in the other). Comfort is important, as to your baby, a good rest should be the same wherever they are. This means looking at the quality of the travel mattress. Safety, as always is of paramount importance. This means checking out the materials used in the production of the cot comply to fire and safety regulations and ensuring the contours and edges are soft and safe to touch.

The Nuna Sena is an excellent example of a travel cot that is quick to put up, comfortable, safe and stylish, and will last until the next chapter of your baby's life - when they sleep in a bed!

BabyBabyOnline have a wide range of travel cots available including those from the Nuna Sena collection. Please visit us and take a look.

10 Top Tips to Keep Your Baby Cool and Comfortable This Summer

The recent heatwave has been welcomed by many but understandably, a lot of new parents have been freaking out about how to keep their babies cool and comfortable when the mercury hits 30 degrees Celsius.

If you are worried about your babies and young children during the hot weather, here are ten top tips to help them and you keep your cool:

1) Dress appropriately – stick to baby clothing that is 100% cotton as this will help keep your baby cool and comfortable

2) Sleep well – it can be difficult for all of us to sleep well during the hot, humid weather but what applies to you can also apply to baby.  If the room is going to be very hot all night a nappy and a thin vest or short pyjamas may suffice, alternative you can use a low tog sleep sack to maintain a comfortable temperature.  Remember the temperature can drop considerably during the night so check in on your little ones before you turn in in case they need an extra blanket.

3) Keep your home well ventilated – open windows during the day and use a fan on a low setting on very hot nights to circulate the air.  A bowl of ice placed in front of the fan will ensure the air that gets circulated is cool.

4) Get a room thermometer – this will stop you from guessing and might even surprise you!

5) When travelling in the car try and maintain a comfortable temperature using air conditioning, climate control or good old fashioned opening of the windows.  If you have a long journey ahead of you plan for regular rest stops to give you all the chance to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

6) When out and about remember to use your pushchair parasol and/or sun cover.  At BabyBabyOnline we’ve got a wide range of pushchair accessories for top name brands such as iCandy, Bugaboo and BabyStyle so make sure you get kitted out with compatible accessories before you head off for a day in the sun.

7) Apply sun cream liberally before you leave the house, even if it is just to go into the garden. 

8) Ensure your child wears a hat when outside in the warm weather, ideally one that protects their neck too.

9) Be prepared that your baby or young child may need to drink more than usual.  Ensure you take plenty of water with you when venturing out on hot days.

10) Finally, don’t panic!  Hot weather never lasts that long in Britain anyway but by being prepared you can hopefully enjoy the summer with your family.

If you need any advice on choosing pushchair accessories to go with your strollers or want to upgrade to accommodate your growing children please contact BabyBabyOnline today on 0121 744 6786 or visit our website.