One of our most popular items are luxury pedal cars. We’ve obtained a real selection of metal cars, firetrucks and airoplanes for girls and boys that come fully assembled. We have also added a range of quality wendy houses (as instructed by my daughter – Hannah Natalya) which meet her high standards.

Traditional toys are making a huge comeback becuase with the right care they can stand the test of time. The craftmanship that goes into our toys is excellent, and its refelected in the final product. Our wooden rocking horses are the ultimate in luxury baby gifts, and can be used and then kept as keepsake.

If you do buy too many toys this Christmas – a quality traditional wooden toy box is the perfect answer and much nicer on the eye than plastic storage.

So – what are you waiting for? Beat the rush by shopping early and go online to save some time.

Happy shopping!

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You might hear about the ‘terrible twos’, when your formerly placid baby becomes a screaming kicking mass usually at the supermarket checkout. They can see what they want – some sweets or a toy, for example – but, if you have said no, they can’t see how they can get it.

Young children do not have the understanding or reasoning skills, the experience or the communication skills to talk through a disagreement. They live in a ‘now’ time with little idea of the future. They cannot cope with having to wait for what they want – it must be now. The result is a tantrum as a means of communicating the frustration they feel.

It can be difficult to accept that tantrums are a perfectly normal part of child development, especially in the middle of what can be a time of stress with emotions running high. Some children build up more of a head of steam than others, and what happens several times a day with one child will only happen every now and again with another. This is all absolutely normal.

Coping with a tantrum
Dealing with a tantrum is easier said then done. The child is frustrated and angry, and you may also be caught up in the emotion of the moment, however hard you try not to be. You may want to do anything to stop the tantrum. You may feel embarrassed and ashamed about the tantrum and feel that it is somehow a reflection of you as a parent. It is important to remember you cannot reason with a child in a tantrum, there is no point in attempting any kind of discussion until it is all over.

* Do your best to keep your emotions out of it. If you get angry it will only feed the spiral of emotions and make things worse. Some parents find it helpful to deliberately ‘go robotic’ to keep their own feelings in check.
* It might be a good idea to say that you are leaving the room or that you will walk away. Then go somewhere you can see your child, but your child can’t see you; usually, without an audience, your child will stop screaming
* Try to develop a thick skin. Do what you need to do and ignore the attention of other people, if they are rude enough to stare.
* Make an effort to hug the child and talk soothingly into his ears; they can often frighten themselves by the sheer strength of their own emotions.
* Reassure the child, acknowledging how they are feeling (‘you must be feeling very cross’, ‘I can see that you are very angry’).
* If appropriate you can pick up your child when in a tantrum and take them away from any attention.
* Don’t smack. It does not help and only increases the level of violence and emotion in the situation. Remember, children learn by copying!
* It is best not to give in to the tantrum. If the child learns you change your mind if they have a tantrum, they will use the power of a tantrum to get their own way.
* If you feel you are not coping well with a tantrum, make sure your child is safe and call a friend to talk it over. A rational friend who is not caught up in the situation can help you see things in perspective.

After a tantrum
Try not to let the effects of a tantrum go on and on. When the tantrum is over give your toddler a cuddle and reassure him that while you do not like his behaviour, you love him/her.

Preventing a tantrum
In time you may be able to predict a situation when a tantrum is likely. As your child gets older you will be able to talk to your child to try to prevent future tantrums, by reasoning with them and rewarding good behaviour. For example, you could say to a child who has tantrums out shopping ‘Sometimes you get very cross when we go to the supermarket. But if you behave well today, we can go to the park afterwards.’ This one works well with my children.

It might not be much comfort in the middle of a screaming and shouting fit, which has gone on for half an hour, but as children get older, they do become more rational, and amenable to both reason and rewards.

Be prepared
Preparation is the key to a successful experience. You should make sure you are well equipped to deal with your first day alone by running through all the routines with your partner and having everything you’ll need to hand:

* Keep the changing mat, nappies, wipes and nappy sacks handy, so you don’t have to rummage through cupboards to find them (as I did).
* For feeding, have at least one or two bottles of breast or formula milk made up in the fridge ready to warm.
* Know where your baby’s clean clothes are kept as you may have to change him several times during the day.

After the door closes and your partner leaves you both to fend for yourselves, don’t panic – try to appreciate this time you can spend with your baby.

Try not to plan to do too much. Your baby’s needs will rule the day and any other jobs will have to be put aside until later; slow down, and try to take things at his pace. Make the most of playing with him. There are lots of things you can do together, even from a very young age. For example play ‘This Little Piggy’ with his toes – this will make him aware of his body and help him learn to control his movements. Be theatrical in your responses to him and always keep eye contact, he will love to look at your face and its expressions. Give him differently textured toys to touch and name his toys and objects around the room. Hold him up under his armpits while he balances on his feet – this will help to strengthen his leg muscles.

Why is my baby crying and how can I comfort him?
All babies cry and some cry more than others. Crying is a baby’s way of communicating with you, all you have to do is work out what it is your little one is trying to tell you. Go through a checklist of possible causes: is he hungry, thirsty or tired? Is his nappy full, has he got wind, is he too hot or cold or does he just want a cuddle? Always respond to your baby’s cries as promptly as possible. If your baby seems unwell, give him a quick check over to see if it is anything serious, and if you are in any doubt at all, call your GP or health visitor. If the crying becomes unbearable, try taking him for a walk because this often helps.

If he is hungry or thirsty…
If your partner is breastfeeding, she can express milk for you to use. If you are bottle-feeding be sure to following the instructions on the box. Never be tempted to put extra formula in the bottle because it will cause your baby to dehydrate. Use boiled then cooled water and sterilized bottles. If you take a ready-made-up bottle straight from the fridge, place it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to warm it up. Make sure this is well away from baby. Test a couple of drops on your wrist. It’s ready when it feels tepid. Sit down in a comfortable position, cuddle your baby close to you so he can look at your face; he should be semi-upright so he can breathe and swallow easily. Keep eye contact and let him draw the teat into his mouth, keeping the bottle tilted so he can suck the milk rather than air. Be patient and don’t force him to feed if he doesn’t want it. He will let you know when he’s had enough or wants a break. When he has finished, wind him by sitting him on your knee or putting him over your shoulder and gently rubbing his back.

If he is tired…
Cuddle him and sing to him in a soft voice (don’t worry about how bad your singing voice is – nobody else is around). Hold your baby, against your bare skin so he will get to know your smell and feel comforted by your familiar presence. You could also try putting on some soft music to lull him to sleep. He will not be bothered about how light or dark it is, and will drift into a light sleep for about 20 minutes before falling soundly asleep.

Changing his nappy
This will need to be done frequently (unfortunately): first thing in the morning, after every feed and before your baby goes to sleep at night. Lay him on his changing mat then undo his clothing and his nappy. Remove the nappy and put it into a nappy sack. Holding his feet together in one hand, lift his legs up and use nappy wipes or moistened cotton wool balls to wipe from front to back, using a fresh wipe each time, until his bottom is clean. Take care to clean all the creases at the tops of his legs, but do not clean inside a girl’s labia or under a boy’s foreskin. Get a clean nappy and place under his bottom and lie him back down. Pull the front of the nappy up and fasten it at the sides with sticky tapes.

If you have problems keeping your baby still, provide a distraction: a mobile, a rattle or small toy to hold – babies love to look at themselves in mirrors.

Bathing
If you are on your own just for a day, you can get away with simply ‘topping and tailing’ your baby. This means using pieces of cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water, then squeezed dry to wipe his eyes (from inside outwards), behind his ears, over his face and around his neck. Clean his hands, arms, body and legs the same way, always using a new ball of cotton wool each time. Wipe around his bottom downwards and away from his body. Keep talking to him as you wash him and try to make it fun. Wrap him in the towel, patting him dry, taking care to dry all his skin creases. Pop him in a clean nappy and put his clothes on.

Things to do together
Your baby loves rocking movement, so put on a front sling, if he is quite small, and take him out for a walk, otherwise use a buggy or pram. The fresh air will tire him out – and probably you, plus there will be plenty of interesting things to look at and listen to. Make sure your baby is wearing one more layer than you would normally wear to make sure that he is warm enough.

Baby massage classes are a fun activity that both fathers and babies can enjoy. Also, once he has reasonable head control and is able to maintain his body temperature (at approximately 8 to 12 weeks of age), you can take your baby swimming; many babies love splashing around in water as long as it is warm enough and you are watchful at all times.

Talk to him as much as possible – your baby will recognise your voice from when he was in the womb and will associate its sound with security and affection. You can help your child’s mind develop by reading to him. He will follow the tones and rhythm of your voice and will enjoy listening to what you are saying.

Spending time with your baby is enjoyable for you both and giving your partner a break will always be appreciated. So send your partner off for a day out, to visit friends or just for a coffee in town, safe in the knowledge that you are perfectly equipped to look after your baby.

Baby’s first steps
One of the major milestones when leaving the baby stage behind is walking. Most babies start to walk between the ages of 10 and 18 months – so if your baby’s still not on two feet by then have a word with your GP.

They are many things you can do to encourage your child in taking their first steps. Watch Gurgle.com’s video on how to help your baby learn to walk.

Step by step
Step one to walking is when your baby takes his weight on his legs and bounces on your lap with your support (this can happen any time from five months onwards). He’s strengthening his muscles and getting ready for the off.

The next stage is pulling himself up to a standing position.
After that comes ‘cruising’ – moving around holding onto furniture for balance. Then some babies let go tentatively and practise their balance for a while before taking the first step. Others may simply let go and charge. These early steps will be unsteady – and even when he gets going your baby’s first real toddle will be a waddle, with feet turned out and his nappy-bottom swaying. From now on he’ll get more and more skilful and his walk more fluid.

How you can help
* Give him as much time out of the pushchair or car seat. He needs practice.
* Make the house safe so you can give his attempts free rein – and remember there will be many tumbles before he’s proficient at walking.
* Keep him barefoot – shoes aren’t necessary until he’s walking confidently alone – they can be clumsy.
* Give him confidence by holding his hands and walking behind him.
* Get him a pushalong truck to hold and walk with – keep it well away from steps and other dangers.

All in his head
Your baby’s new found mobility and strength are giving him the tools to become more knowledgeable about the world around him – for example, the difference between dry and wet (bath-time), warm and cold (meal times). He can also work out ‘cause and effect’ – for example, bang a drum and it produces a loud noise. And he’s beginning to match objects to the task in hand, such as a nappy goes on his bottom and a flannel is used to wash his face – all important for later on when he starts trying to match spoken words to the relevant object.

By 12 months, his fear of strangers is quite strong and you’ll notice him being clingier with you around people he doesn’t know. He’ll also be much more able to express his emotions (for example, anger or frustration if you take away his favourite toy) and he’ll understand that ‘no’ means ‘no’ even if he chooses to ignore it

MMR
At about 13 months your baby will get called for his first MMR jab (he’ll get a booster between the ages of 3 and 5). MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) and protects your baby from these three illnesses, all of which are highly infectious and easily spread. Measles and mumps can be serious (occasionally measles can even kill). German measles won’t make your child too ill, but if caught by a woman during early pregnancy will seriously harm her unborn baby. So it’s important to make sure your child is immune and can’t pass rubella on to a pregnant mum.

Occasionally there may be side-effects from the MMR jab. · Between six and 10 days after the jab, when the measles vaccine kicks in, your child may have a slight rash and a fever Very rarely – at about 21 days after the jab, when the mumps element kicks in – a child may have swollen glands and a temperature. If your child gets a rash of what looks like small bruises any time in the six weeks after the jab, get your doctor to check it out.

The supposed link between autism and the MMR jab which frightened many mums 10 years ago has now been dismissed by most experts. If you are concerned in any way, though, do discuss it with your GP. Don’t forget! Just after his first birthday your baby will be due a booster jab for Meningitis C and Hib. For more information on immunisations see www.immunisation.nhs.uk.

As a result, after giving birth you will have far less sleep than you are used to. It is quite likely that after the first few days you will be up all hours, pacing the room, rocking, jiggling, dancing in time to music – anything to get your new baby to settle to sleep.

Do not panic. This sort of behaviour is perfectly normal and by the time your baby is 3 months old, it will probably be settled and sleeping mainly at night, although still waking for feeds. ‘Adjusting to life outside the warm comforts of the womb he has known all his life inevitably takes time,’ says Lisa Crampton, Owner of Eventium, the organisation which offers style tips for new mums, ‘Most babies settle by the time they are 6 months old, or earlier.’

But first you have to survive those first turbulent weeks. The two main points to remember are:

Sleep when the baby sleeps – try not to rush around too much. Most babies sleep best during the morning, becoming more and more fractious towards evening, so try and schedule visits from doting relations and friends in the afternoon.
Help your baby to learn the difference between night and day. Babies are not born with a proper internal clock. When he wakes for feeds in the day, take time to play with him, show him brightly coloured toys, and talk gently to him. When he wakes at night, try to be silent. Unless he has a dirty nappy, there is no need to change him – keep all actions to an absolute minimum and keep the room dark.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in your room for the first 6 months. Do not share a bed with your baby if you are a smoker, have been drinking alcohol or are taking drugs of any kind. Studies have suggested that it is best not to have your baby sleeping in your bed, although, it is fine to bring your baby into bed for a cuddle or a feed.

If your baby is particularly restless and fitful, especially during the early evening and early part of the night, then he may have colic. Babies with colic may suddenly start drawing up their legs, wriggling as if in extreme discomfort, and cry – sometimes for what seems like a long time. It is believed that colic could be caused by your baby’s immature digestive system, which is unable to cope with this new way of getting food – through the mouth rather than via the umbilical cord. Colic usually affects the baby in the evening and at night – just when you are on your last legs – but try to make sure that the baby is winded properly after feeding to minimise the problem from occurring. Most colicky babies have settled by 3 months old.

For more information and advice, talk to your health visitor or visit your local sleep clinic, which is usually run through the health visiting system at your local GP surgery.

The first few months can be very tiring for new parents, but remember that most babies will be sleeping through the night and only waking for feeds by 3 months old. Sleep when you can to keep your energy levels up, and enjoy this time with your new baby as you get to know each other.

There are lots of parents in the same situation as you in the UK – about 1.7 million according to Gingerbread, the largest support organization for single parents. About 10% of single parents are lone fathers.

There are many positive aspects to lone parenting. As you will be spending lots of time with your child, you will become very close. If you’re lucky enough to live close to other members of your family and they are willing to lend a hand, you will have lots of help and support. The main thing to remember is that you are more than able to provide your baby with a loving environment in which to flourish. If your family are far away or unable to support you in practical ways then it will be important for you to get the support of your friends and, perhaps, their families.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help
It can be quite easy to become overtired if you are the sole carer, so make sure you get a break as often as you can. Ask a friend to baby-sit, or try to meet other parents with whom you can rotate childminding stints. Your local council may run a subsidized nursery. Accept any offers of help from relatives or friends, and make sure you get enough sleep. If you are working full-time, you will find that childcare is expensive, so it may be worth joining together with other parents to share a childminder or nanny.

Financial implications
Make sure that you are receiving all the financial benefits you are entitled to – you may find that managing on just one or even no salary is hard going. Contact your local DSS office for advice on benefits.

Try to sort out financial arrangements with your ex-partner in an amicable way. If you need any help or advice on child maintenance payments, be sure to contact the Child Support Agency (CSA).

Housing
If you are getting divorced from your partner, both husband and wife have the right to live in the matrimonial home, no matter who owns it, until the divorce is finalized. Also, after separation, you may be granted the right to stay in the home for a period of time. However, once you are divorced, the non-owner will generally lose any rights to live in the house. If you aren’t married but living together, you have no rights to live in the house if you do not own it jointly with your partner.

Your local council is obliged to help you if you are a single parent and are unintentionally homeless. They use a points system based on your circumstances to determine your eligibility: the more points you have, the sooner you will be given somewhere to live, although the waiting lists are generally long for everyone. For further information, contact your local Housing Department. You could also try your local Housing Association for more affordable accommodation.

Information for fathers
There’s not much difference between being a single mum or a single dad, in terms of what you can and can’t do, except, of course, for breastfeeding. However, it is worth sorting out your rights as a dad if you and your partner are unmarried and you are applying for parental responsibility. You will then have virtually the same rights in bringing up the child as a married father would.

Parental responsibility is automatic for married parents, even if divorced, and also for single mothers. If you are not married you can obtain parental responsibility by registering a legally binding written agreement, subject to the mother’s consent. If the mother refuses her consent then an unmarried father can seek parental responsibility by making an application to the Court.

Getting along with your ex partner
If you are becoming a lone parent because you are breaking up with, or divorcing your partner, it can be a highly emotional event. This can make it hard for everyone to act rationally and in the best interest of the child. Try to distance yourself from your anger and hurt to realize that a calm approach to the problem is the best way forward for you and your child.

Many men want to remain actively involved in their child’s life after a break-up. It is important that your child maintains contact with both parents, to ensure his emotional bond. When talking about or to your ex-partner in front of your child, take care not to criticize each other. Also, try not to get to the situation where your child idolizes one parent. You are both the child’s parents and have a duty to your child to act responsibly.

The parent who lives with the child may resent the other parent not contacting them regularly or not sharing the care of the child, while the other parent may feel at the mercy of the residential parent and having to fit in with their plans. Keep the channels of communications open and try to put your differences aside and put your child first.

If at all possible, try to spend some time together with your child, and continue to keep in contact with grandparents and aunts and uncles on both sides. There’s no reason why your child should be deprived of any relationships with his family.

If you are sharing the responsibility of bringing up your child, it is a good idea to:

* Visit your child as regularly as possible
* Telephone, write or leave answer phone messages for him
* Respect the fact that the child has two separate homes now. Try and make sure you have enough clothes and toys at your house so it feels like a second home and he doesn’t feel like a guest
* Try not to interfere with the child’s relationship with the other parent
* Try to find ways to manage any negative feelings of anger, vindictiveness or bitterness without taking it out on your child
* It is a good idea to maintain a consistent pattern of behaviour and stick to rules that apply in both your households.
* Always try and fulfil any promises you make to your child, or try to give good warning of anything you can’t do.

Widowed
After the death of a partner, life can seem an uphill struggle. It is difficult coping with your own grief while maintaining a positive attitude in front of your child. Try to understand the loss from the child’s perspective and ensure that the absent parent is spoken of often and with love. Accept all help that is offered by friends and family. There are groups locally for bereavement, which will offer support and enable you to meet other parents who are in a similar situation.

Remember you have a life too!
Try to balance your time spent with your child with some time for yourself – if you are happy, your child will be more likely to be contented too. If you can, get a baby sitter or leave your child with relatives for an evening, so that you can keep your social life alive. Going out and meeting your friends is very important for all parents.

In an exclusive interview Sandra revealed that she and Jesse James began the adoption process four years ago, before becoming parents in January. Shocked fans have been pouring out their hearts and souls on PopEater’s Facebook page congratulating her. Reactions range from happiness to inspirational words of wisdom from other adoptive mums.

However, these days, faith is not always the only motivation. A christening is also a great way to get the whole family together to celebrate your new arrival. Being a member of a church could also help your child get a place at the excellent local church school further down the line.

While some clergy are quite relaxed about the parents’ own church attendance, others will expect to see you and your child on a regular basis before and after the christening.

Is there an alternative?
A christening calls for your child to believe in Jesus and to repent any sins. However, an increasing number of parents – and clergy themselves – question how a baby can possibly understand and, therefore, commit to this. As an alternative, your little one can be blessed and thanks can be given for his safe arrival into the world, without you making any promises on his behalf. A christening can then be held when your child is older and more able to understand what baptism involves.

If you are unsure what to do, talk to friends who have gone down either route and seek advice from your local church.

Booking the service
Once you have decided to have a christening, the first step is to talk to your local vicar. You will need to find out whether a special service needs to be arranged or whether the christening will be part of a main Sunday service. Some churches may ask few questions apart from which day you’d like the ceremony on and the names of the godparents, while others will want more details about your own faith, baptism and those of the godparents.

Choosing godparents
Traditionally, godparents were chosen for their own strong Christian beliefs, so that they could help guide the growing child in his faith. While this is still preferable in the eyes of the church, in reality, these days godparents are chosen more because they are close friends of the parents or are family members. However, for the sake of your child, it is worth taking time to choose a godparent carefully. If you are choosing friends, think about what role you would like them to play in your child’s life. Are they likely to still be friends of yours in 10 years time? Are they going to offer you and your child support if needed?

It is traditional for girls to have two godmothers and one godfather and boys to have two godfathers and one godmother, although it is up to you how many you have.

The christening gown
Both girls and boys traditionally wear a long white or cream christening gown. It’s wonderful if you have a family gown that has been passed down through the generations. If you don’t, you could either try to find one in a shop that sells vintage or antique clothing or buy one new. Many large department stores will sell appropriate clothes for christenings. Alternatively, try one of the many websites that sell everything related to christenings, from clothes to invitations and paper plates.

The service
If the christening is being held especially for you rather than as part of a main service, ask everybody to turn up at least 10 minutes before it’s due to begin. Yours may not be the only event at the church that day and the vicar will need to keep to schedule. Everyone will gather around the font, with the parents and godparents at the front. A service sheet will be handed out with the words the godparents need to say usually printed in bold. The whole christening should only take 20-30 minutes.

Remember that even in summer churches can be pretty cold, so make sure your baby is warmly dressed. It may also be wise to take a spare set of clothes in case of an accident.

After the service
You might want a small tea reception of sandwiches and cakes after the service. However, if friends and family are coming from far afield, it might be a good idea to offer something more substantial. Plan your menu so that most things can be cooked in advance and just heated up at the right time. Or, if you can splash out, consider caterers so that you don’t have to worry.

Don’t forget to invite the vicar as a way of saying thank you for the service!

For great christening gifts and ideas – visit www.primobambino.co.uk

What you may need:
Support bras x 3 during pregnancy (measuring required at intervals to check you have the right size)
Nursing bras x 2 (measuring required around 36+ weeks of pregnancy)
Sleep bras x 2
Bra pads
Muslin squares (to clean up baby’s dribbles after feeding)
Breastfeeding literature from midwife

You might find these useful too:
Breast pump
Support pillow
Lansinoh nipple cream
Breast Feeding Bliss – re-useable thermal gel packs (soothes mastitis, engorgement and blocked ducts)
A good book on breastfeeding e.g. Breastfeeding for Beginners, and theNational Childbirth Trust (NCT) book of breastfeeding – both available from the NCT 0870 112 1120
Good preparation

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. During pregnancy, attend a local breastfeeding information class – your midwife will have the details – or contact your local NCT. Ask friends who have successfully breastfed, for their top tips. Check you are wearing the correct size support bra and get measured frequently during your pregnancy.

Buy your feeding bras in the last few weeks of pregnancy so you have the most comfortable fitting bra just after the birth of your baby. Remember to eat a healthy diet and to eat frequently as you need more calories during breastfeeding than pregnancy. Ask your midwife to help you position your baby correctly on the breast when you first start to feed.

Make sure you are sitting comfortably. Your baby’s tummy should face your tummy. You may need to use a pillow to support your baby.

When it’s right:
When your baby is latched on properly they will draw much of the areola (dark area around the nipple) into the mouth with their tongue. You should feel comfortable and your baby should be relaxed. Your baby’s chin will be touching your breast. You can hear soft swallowing………Keep going.

If it does not feel right, just start again and take your time, and don’t rush it. If necessary ask for help from your midwife or health visitor.

Find out more:
NCT breastfeeding helpline 0300 330 0771 (lines open 08:00 – 22:00 7 days a week)
Breastfeeding Network 0870 900 8787
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 0870 401 7711