We Got Pampered by Pampers and Tested Their Newest Product

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the new Pampers Premium nappies. It was an elegant high tea affair at the luxurious 10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate hotel (side note: this is a beautiful venue that I have been very keen to visit since it recently became Halaal, since we do not have too many upmarket Halaal venues in Johannesburg and I have heard rave reviews about their fine cuisine).

You see, Pampers have launched a new version of their Premium nappies which are soft- really soft. To prove the point, we were given various silky soft materials to feel as we entered the venue (a piece of silk, a super fluffy blanket and some cotton wool) and then given the new Premium nappies to compare and to see for ourselves just how soft they are. 

So I got to drink coffee and eat pretty cakes and sushi in the company of well known local icons and fellow bloggers, while listening to talks about all the amazing new features of this great new nappy- how soft and absorbent it is and how it does not sag.

Guess what... I already knew how awesome they are as I had a sneak peak at them as a home tester for the product. A few weeks back, I got sent a test kit and got to discover for myself just how amazing the new nappies are. I promised the folks at Pampers that I would keep my test results under wraps until after the launch but here they are and I am so excited to share them! 

As testers, we were given three tests to conduct and I am happy to say that all the tests passed the mommy test with flying colours. P.S. I am a video newbie and we all know I am a bit camera shy so please bare with me.

TEST 1:

 

The first test involved pouring blue tinted water into the nappy and then cutting through the nappy. The old nappies had a single chamber of absorbent material in the middle, which unfortunately sometimes led to that saggy bum phenomenon (yes, my son has had nappies practically sagging to the ground before but that is a thing of the past now). The new nappies have three separate chambers so that the liquid gets absorbed more evenly. By the way, the nappies absorbed an insane amount of liquid!

TEST TWO:

The second test was the wetness indicator test. I remember wondering why the newborn nappies used to have that awesome wetness indicator at the back (basically a line which turns from yellow to blue when the nappy is wet) but none of the bigger ones did. Well now they do, so there is no need to open the nappy to check of it is soiled- just look at the indicator at the back and if it is blue, it is time for a nappy change.

TEST THREE:

The thing that used to put me off the old Pampers Premium nappies was that it had a weird net thing inside which was great for keeping moisture off the skin but sometimes left checkered indentations on babies bottom. For this reason I must confess that I usually opted for the Pampers Active nappies previously. Now they have replaced it with a silky smooth interior which really does feel as soft as silk.

TEST FOUR:

The fourth and final test that I did (by chance) was the live human test, you know, the one that actually counts. We are working on potty training Squish (that is a post for another day) and he still wears nappies at night and when we leave home. These days, we mostly use pull ups but one day, I had forgotten to take nappies with me but still had the test kit so I used one of the nappies from there. It was a size smaller than what we usually use but seemed roomy enough. He had it on for a good few hours until evening bath time and was leak free even though he drank copious amounts of liquids. The soft nappy stayed dry and comfy and there were no saggy, draggy bottoms in sight!

Baby On Its Way? The Truth About What to Buy...

Are you expecting and looking for the ultimate newborn shopping list? Then please look elsewhere- there are tons of lists online telling you what you should and should not buy before having a baby. 

The unfortunate truth is, first time parents are absolute suckers (I know, I have been there) and although you might think you need every gimmick on the market, you actually don't. Some unnecessary gadgets are easy to spot even for newbies (for example, we went to a baby expo before Noodle was born and a lady tried to sell us a very pricey bucket... I kid you not... a regular bucket... saying that it was a hi-tech baby bath that cocoons the baby in a cosy foetal position and it even doubles up as a stepping stool once baby can walk). We know you saw right through the six month baby massage subscription (mind you, a mommy massage subscription is a different ball game entirely) and the cot with the built in iPod. However, some unnecessary gadgets are more subtle- the tiny bassinet and the electric bottle warmer may seem like perfectly reasonable purchases before baby is born.

In addition, every child is so completely different that half of what you buy might be a complete waste. Trust me, tiny as a newborn is, they already have unique needs which may differ from that of your sister, neighbour or best friend's baby. Even between my pigeon pair, what worked best each time was quite different. Here are some stories of what we did right... and what we did wrong.

Before Noodle was born, the advice we were given is that since nappies are so expensive, we should start stocking up a few month's in advance, buying a pack or two each time there was a special. Here is the problem with that theory- each baby uses a different amount of nappies and grows at different rates, so you will not know in advance how much of each size to buy. In addition, many babies are sensitive or even completely allergic to certain brands. Some babies leak in some brands and not in others, depending on their stature. Some moms hate the smell of certain nappy brands or perhaps you will discover that you like modern cloth nappies better. Moral of the story- buy enough for the first few weeks (size zero and size one) and then figure out what you like from there. Bear in mind that if you give birth at a private hospital or belong to certain rewards programmes, you are likely to score some free nappy samples from them. 

Then there are prams. There are hundred on the market and they all cost an arm and a leg. The truth is, while we used the car seat/ rocker that came with it as part of a travel system, the actual stroller got used less than a dozen times (and that is probably a generous estimate) for each of my two little ones. While our one seemed ridiculously easy to open and close when the salesperson at the baby store demonstrated it, I later discovered that this was not the case while carrying a screaming baby in one arm and groceries in the other. Also, once it went in my smallish boot, there was no space for anything else. Some people swear by baby wraps or carriers as alternatives but I never quite got the hang of it. My suggestion- ask the salesperson if they can accompany you to load a demo model pram into your boot, so that you can see if it fits. Also, don't bother with a jogging pram- my crystal ball assures me that all dreams of going jogging with your baby are inevitably going to be shattered.

You probably have an idea as to whether you wish to bottle or breastfeed, but I would suggest having contingency plans for both and not investing too much into either option until baby is born and you know for sure what is going to work for both of you. You might spend thousands on an automatic double breast pump and nursing bras only to discover that you cannot breastfeed for whatever reason. Speaking of which, nursing bras are another item that you might want to delay stocking up on (enough for hospital will do) as it is very hard to predict how much your breast size will inflate once baby arrives. Conversely, you might buy tons of a certain type of bottle and all the equipment that goes with it, only to discover that your baby will not latch or that it gives your baby colic. (For Squish, we tried about five different bottle brands with the intention of using it for expressed breast milk but he would not drink from any of them. We also bought several different types of pacifiers and he would not take to any.) Once baby can drink other liquids, you may find yourself trying a few different sippy cups before finding one that your baby takes to and which does not leak everywhere.

Here is what we discovered about feeding chairs- babies are very messy eaters and so any feeding chair with non-removable fabric parts is going to be a disgusting germ haven and a nightmare to clean. By the time Squish was born, we replaced Noodle's cloth feeding chair (which was a health hazard) with one with only removable plastic parts.

Baby monitors are another interesting item which might either be a lifesaver or a very expensive mistake. I have heard a few parents saying it was a waste of time for them but I had two different experiences. We got a top of the range Angelcare monitor before Noodle was born and we used it religiously for the first six months. The breathing alarm actually went off two or three times in the early weeks- so it was a priceless investment. When Squish was born, he ended up co-sleeping with us for the first year, so the baby monitor was completely redundant. 

Try to examine things in person where possible before shopping for the best prices. We ended up buying Noodle a baby rocker online manufactured by a well known baby brand, which we returned the next day, because it did not rock.

As far as clothes go, chances are that you will find it hard to resist buying every adorable item spotted (I know I couldn't, especially the first time round... baby clothes are just so darn cute). Chances are though, that your relatives and friends feel  the same way and will spoil you with enough clothes to last for the first year. While baby shoes are irresistibly cute, they probably don't need them until they start walking, except in very cold weather. In fact, you will soon discover that babies detest shoes and that one of every cute pair will sneakily get thrown away by your bundle of joy each time  you leave the house. If only I had a penny for each time a kindhearted stranger stopped me at a shopping centre pointing out that my baby has dropped a shoe.

Another thing that you will discover is that babies hate being covered with blankets. With Noodle, we found that the zip up sleeping bags were the perfect solution for this dilemma. We stocked up on the pricey Babysense sleep bags for Squish (a favourite with Noodle), only to discover that he screamed hysterically and would not sleep until we freed him from what he perceived to be a straight jacket. Fleecy, full bodied onesies turned out to be a better solution for him.

I could go on all day with examples of how the needs and wants differ from one baby to another. Conclusion: Buy a little bit of all of the bare essentials and leave the rest until your little one is born and able to dictate his or her needs.

Goodbye Nahnah: The End of the Breastfeeding Journey

This poem really speaks to me at the moment- especially the last two paragraphs. After almost two years of breastfeeding, December 2015, just before Squish's second birthday, was when we decided it was finally time to swap the nursing bras for Wonderbras again. Two years seems like a logical time for weaning and felt right to me- I was finally able to have a meaningful two way discussion with my son about the topic by this age. Two years also happens to be the time period recommended for breastfeeding by both the World Health Organisation and the timeframe recommended according to my religion- if that is not a sign that this is a good time I am not sure what is!

The breastfeeding journey was a tough one for me (read more about my journey here). I must admit, the last few months of breastfeeding were a bit easier, but after two sleep deprived years, I knew it was time. 

We had previous failed attempts at weaning after about twelve months. La Leche League's recommended method for weaning is 'do not offer and do not refuse'. Let's just say that was an epic failure and I am fairly sure I would be feeding through the high school gates if we stuck to that mode of weaning. Previous (less subtle) weaning methods tried also included putting foul tasting substances on my breasts, from bitter aloe to balsamic vinegar ( both of which Squish just responded to with a bit of a funny face but then proceeded to suck off the offending substance nonchalantly) and wearing polo-necked tops (which literally got ripped open).

So when I tried weaning again this December, I was ready for a tough fight, which to my surprise never came. We waited until the holiday season, when A was on leave. Night time is when Squish tended to drink the most so we anticipated some sleepless nights. On night one, I did something that I never did before. I packed an overnight bag and Noodle and I spent the night at my mom's house (which is close enough for me to return on case of emergency). While Noodle and I had a night of Monopoly, Squish was home with daddy. I do not know what happened in my absence (though I suspect Squish was lulled to sleep by Youtube). I am told there were a few tears but that he only woke once or twice during the night and went back to sleep quite easily. 

The next morning, I returned, with large plasters across my breasts (and a dot or two of fake blood for theatric effect). When Squish saw it, I expected a fight but instead he said sweetly, 'sorry mommy' and gave me a big hug. He kept asking to look at it, but instead of trying to drink, he came to give me hugs and say sorry each time.

For the next few days, he did not try drinking at all, though he did ask to look at my plasters every hour or two. For a few days, he replaced his 'nahnah' with (oddly), copious amounts of grapes. Even now that the plasters are off, he still asks to have a look at his old comfort objects at least once a day. 

Nap times and bed time was tough for the first week or two as breastfeeding had always been our method of choice for getting him to drift easily to sleep. Slowly, we developed a new routine, which included the old elements, bath time, a shower and a bedtime story, but now we switched off the lights and had one extra bedtime story in the dark- each day we now have made up stories about a character, Bubbles, who is the star of all our stories. When Squish is ready to sleep, he covers his entire face with the duvet and then is asleep in a minute or two. I then move him to his cot, where he sometimes sleeps right through the night- something that never happened back when I was breastfeeding. 

What nobody told me is how painful the weaning process would be for me! See, the recommended method is slow weaning. To some extent, this was a slow weaning process as we had already eliminated all daytime feeds except before nap time. However, till now, Squish still fed several times each night and we stopped the night feeds abruptly, which is apparently not ideal for mom. I did not expect the assault on my breasts. To say that weaning was a (physically) painful experience for me is an understatement. I quickly developed all the symptoms of mastitis- very painful, engorged breasts, a slight fever and excruciating lumps caused by plugged ducts, made worse by me plugging my breasts up with plasters. While the pain level was almost comparable to being in labour, by this time I was away in the bushes for a few days so cabbage leaves and Nurofen was as advanced as pain alleviation treatment was going to get! I was leaking giant puddles of milk everywhere and had to change my clothes several times a day. Charming, I know. It took a few weeks before the pain slowly subsided but eventually it did.

It turns out that the weaning process was actually quite easy for Squish (which is what counts most for me). He has adapted very well to our new routine and, apart from asking to look at my breasts or holding on to them sometimes when he is upset, he has moved on. I will miss that giddy look of elation as he took the first sip at each feed, the feeling of closeness and the way his eyes would almost roll back in his head in ecstasy, but seeing my little boy growing up into an independent little person is equally rewarding. Now we start a new chapter, one without breastfeeding but with a whole new independent world to be explored. 

Keeping Your Kids Safe While Travelling

This might sound like something you have heard many times before, but especially as the holiday season approaches, the importance of car safety and using car seats cannot be repeated enough!

As we know, it is now the law that under three's need to be strapped up in car seats, but of course the ideal is to extend beyond that period. According to the Safe Kids Worldwide organisation, car seats reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and by 54% for children ages 1-4 years and that they reduce the need for hospitalisation by 69% for children ages 4 years and under. 

With two little ones, I know that sometimes it is difficult, or near impossible to get them to stay strapped up, especially as they get older, but it really is quite important. It is still quite a common site to see small children being transported unstrapped on laps, from which I conclude that there are still many South Africans who are not aware of just how important car seats are (I refuse to think that there are parents who willingly put their kids lives in danger). 

Jacqui Marsh, Marketing and Communications Manager for Cartrack shares some essential car seat safety tips ahead of the festive and travelling season.

• “Rear facing car seats are more ideal for new-born babies as they provide the best protection for infants until they are 1 year of age. Keep them in this position for as long as possible and only move them to a forward facing child seat when they no longer fit in the rear facing position. Some car seats allow the child to be rear facing until they weigh 25kg”. 
• “If a child is restrained in the wrong seat for their age or weight, or the straps or harnesses are not adequately secured, it will place the child at an increased risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries." 
• “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a car seat and placing your child in it”. 
• "Convertible car seats can be used for toddlers and are designed to grow with your child. These can be modified with each weight and age transition."
• “To achieve firm support, always ensure that there is less than 2,5cm of movement from side to side and forward once it is installed.
• “Never install a car seat where there are air bags. Airbags deploy with considerable force and can cause serious and even fatal injuries”. 
•  “You can ask your vehicle manufacturer to switch off the airbag function for you, if installing a rear facing car seat.” 
• “If you’re installing a forward facing seat, make sure that it’s flat against the seat’s bottom and back.”
• “Once your child has outgrown the bigger car seat, it needs to be replaced with a booster car seat which props the child so that a standard seat belt can rest correctly across the body.”
• “Parents need to educate themselves and take the necessary precautionary measures for a safer car seat experience and peace of mind whilst on the road. Make use of the alternative seating arrangements and always place a great deal of importance on child safety”.

Introducing Frank and Miss- Little Threads For Little Ones

This weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the launch party for the exciting new Frank and Miss Clothing range, a beautiful new range of clothing for little people designed to be comfortable and practical, allowing kids to be kids while looking super cute. Most importantly- their pieces are priced very reasonably (bearing in mind that these are bespoke items). Here are some of their beautiful pieces:

Their range is a mix of baby stuff and clothes for older kids, both for every day and for special occasions- practical but different enough for your angels to stand out from the crowd. They also specialise in wedding attire- think pretty flower girl dresses without all the fuss and scratchy taffeta. They do beautiful everyday dresses too- just look at these!

The passion and enthusiasm that Elli and Claire, the two lovely ladies behind this proudly South African collaboration, is apparent. Claire's own beautiful pigeon pair were the perfect models for the range, sporting Frank and Miss couture at the launch party.

What I thought was quite a nice concept is that they also do matching sibling outfits, e.g. a dress for sister with a shirt with a matching bow tie in the same fabric for brothers. Noodle is going through a phase where she likes to match her baby brother (for example I dressed Squish in a nautical navy and white striped top for the party so she rushed to fetch her dress with navy and white stripes). I know the matchy-matchy idea would get her stamp of approval!
 
The party was a child-friendly event, set at the lovely Happily Ever Laughter in Bedfordview. If you are looking for a great child friendly restaurant in the East Rand, this one is sure to be a hit with the little ones- I know Noodle and Squish certainly enjoyed it! I think the live minion at the venue was a highlight for them (although Squish was a bit conflicted- he loves Minions but is a bit wary of characters in suits).

Thank you to Frank and Miss for hosting us!

Noodle and Squish left the party with their very own adorable Frank and Miss t-shirts, which they love.

I am sure you are dying to know where you can get hold of this stunning range for your little ones. You can order your Frank and Miss couture from their website (click on the link to be directed their online store). They deliver across South Africa.