WE RECOMMEND...

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Please note that only products favourably reviewed may feature on this page!

Baby Sense Womb to World CD

I was involved in the market research for this CD - and had it playing non-stop in baby's room after getting the sample! The white noise calmed her when she was fussing and helped her sleep better. The CD is made up of white noise - a continuous heartbeat with various other sounds fading in and out, such as womb noises, running water, wind and a fan. White noise has long been used to improve the sleep of insomniacs. Research  shows that white noise induces sleep as well as shifting us into a deeper sleep state. I highly recommend this CD for tiny babies. Click here to purchase directly from BabySense.

Coping with Crying, by Erica Neser

Look at that little face to the left. A familiar sight? Well, it is to me, although, thankfully, a distant memory. But I clearly remember looking into a face like that and thinking "Help! What do I do? She won't stop crying and I don't know why!" If only I had Erica's book - bylined "why babies cry and what to do about it - newborn to four months". All babies cry, yes, but some a whole lot more than others, and it can leave a new mum (or dad) feeling overwhelmed and completely helpless. What I love about this book is it's no-nonsense but empathetic approach. Don't expect a fancy glossy covered book filled with terms that you don't understand - this book is written for mums in the throes of surviving a new baby. Case in point - Erica's letter just before the first chapter that says at the end: "If your baby is content or asleep now, read from the beginning... If your baby is screaming hysterically right now, skip to page 39, follow the instructions and read the rest after she's settled down." What I particularly like about this book is that it not only gives useful tips and advice, but it also goes into what you are feeling, with constant reassurance that it's okay, and what to do if you have symptoms of post natal depression

and helping you to understand why your baby could be colicky. As a mum who has been through colic I would definitely prescribe this book to any new or expectant mum! Order it at www.babysleep.co.za.

Vital Baby Sippy Cups

Some time ago I asked for feedback on what sippy cups you recommend, and the response was overwhelming. One brand that came out tops was Vital Baby, so I made it my business to organise myself a couple of samples to try them out myself, and I must say I was every bit as impressed as my readers! First up was the Trainer Cup which comes with easy-grip handles for babies 9 months + and with a rubber gripper base for young toddlers. This cup is your typical sippy cup with a comfortable spout, and although Caty did manage this cup quite easily, I found she was a bit too big for it and got a bit frustrated about how hard she had to suck - although on the plus side

The South African Child-Friendly Directory

This directory, written by Sharyn Spicer and Janine Nepgen, is a must have for any family who enjoys travelling. It touts itself as "the definitive guide to holiday accommodation that welcomes you and your kids", and this is exactly what it is. It is divided up per province, and then each province describes the various town and places of interests in alphabetical order, giving contact details of hotels, guesthouses and other resorts who are happy to accommodate children. There is also an excellent chapters titled "Things to do", which again is divided into regions, as well as a useful child friendly restaurant guide offering contact details and information. The book is filled with tips and other useful information to make your holiday a wonderful experience for the whole family. The South African Child-Friendly directory is available from Exclusive Books, or can be ordered online at www.childrenwelcome.co.za, and retails for R120.

Jules Morgan Photography

Jules recently visited my baby group and I was lucky enough to organise a shoot with her and my two girls. All I can say is wow. She was fantastic. She was very easy and relaxed with the girls, and even though Caty was in a pretty miserable mood (babies are so hard to predict!) she still managed to get some amazing pictures. Over the past four years Jules has gained extensive experience as a professional photographer. She has worked in South Africa and abroad – mostly in the UK – doing both studio portraits and shooting weddings. She is now based in Cape Town but is able to work anywhere in South Africa (from Johannesburg to the Garden Route), across Africa and further afield.  Jules finds  people the most fascinating of subjects to photograph and a lot of  her work revolves around portraits.  She is a talented wedding photographer, as well as offering  relaxed and fun family shoots, maternity session s ,  and different children's portraits  . For more information visit her website at www.julesmorgan.com . To see Jules' photo's of my girls, see www.mumstheword.co.za/julesmorgan.htm.

Perfect Steps, by Lyn Wade

Bylined as "the essential step by step guide for new mothers and babies", this new book is a must-have for anyone about to have a baby.  Being a paperback, it's lightweight and small enough to fit into your babybag, to be on hand whenever you might need it. The book is divided  into chapters that see you through as your baby grows, and includes useful things in between such as feeding guides, recipes, how to's and  tips. There are also spaces to personalise the book to your own baby, for example places for pictures, hand- and footprints, growth and   immunisation charts, first words, and other milestones. There is also plenty of advice on coping with those daunting first few weeks, as well as  making sure that baby is where he should be and what milestones he should be reaching when, with tips on breastfeeding, first-aid, what to  do when they are sick, and also a useful emergency numbers page at the back. What I particularly liked about this book is that it is written by  a South African midwife, so everything is relevant and local - no strange words or terms, and nothing that you can't buy here. I have already  started using this book for Caty, and I would certainly recommend it to other mums, especially those having their first babies - and it would  make a great baby shower gift. The book is available at some bookstores and clinics, otherwise it can be ordered directly from the website at www.perfectsteps.co.za.

These patches have become a firm must-have in my medicine cabinet. They travel with me and I make sure I always have  stock. They are great for when Megan has a cold as they are a safe, non-invasive way of helping her blocked nose and  tight chest for the whole night. I just stick one on her pyjama top when she goes to bed, and the essential oils of Eucalyptus  and Camphor help  clear her passages so that she can have a good night's sleep - essential to fighting off those bugs! It has  not been tested in  children under the age of two, although last night Caty was coughing so badly that she vomited up her  bottle so I stuck one  at the top of her cot instead of her clothes, and when I checked on her later I could hear that she wasn't snoring  anymore and  her cough was no longer keeping her awake. Nazo Vapour Patches are available in packs of five from your local pharmacy.

A Rhubarb & Custard sling is a must-have for any new mom. I got mine when Caty was about three months old and still able to sleep in it.  She fit very snuggly against my tummy, which put less strain on my back, and the rocking as I walked kept her sleeping through an entire  Pick n Pay shop! And every time I where the sling I get stopped and asked "Where did you get that!" The great thing about this sling is that  it grows with your baby - from cradle position at birth to a side-hip sitting position  when they are toddlers. They are also custom made to fit  you, which I really like, so I know that when I wear Caty that she is completely secure and won't slip out - but the disadvantage is that that  Dad will need his own sling if he is going to carry baby around too! They come in a range of styles and colours with a handy little drawstring  bag - and pack away so small that it's so easy to fit in your babybag, so that you can use it wherever you are. Rhubarb & Custard have also  just introduced a playmat which converts into a handy bag - so you can carry your baby's toys around in the bag, and put him on it when  you get to your destination.  The bags are on special until 16 March for R240, but for the month of March only if you place your order  through info@rhubarbandcustard.co.za and quote 'MTW' you will receive a further 10% discount! Slings retail for R260.  For more info see  www.rhubarbandcustard.co.za or contact Emilia on 082 551 2948 or email info@rhubarbandcustard.co.za.

Kindersafe Wristbands

Wristbands that speak for your children when they can't... reuniting children in the quickest time possible. It must be every parent's  worst nightmare to lose sight of their children in a busy shopping mall or on the beach - how could someone help to reunite you with  your child? And how many children can recite their parents' cell numbers? I know of a lot of mums who instead write their cell numbers  on their children's arms when they all go out together, but I have tried  this and found that half of it washed off the first time my  daughter washed her hands after going to the toilet - and I am not keen on  using something so permanent that it does not wash off at  all - not ideal for a sensitive skin. Kindersafe solves all these problems with  their range of wristbands and safety tags. Simply write your  details on the inside of the reusable wristband or disposable tag so  that anybody who finds your child can phone you and reunite you  with your child immediately - simple and highly effective.  For more info  contact Sandra Wiese at  kindersafe@hotmail.com or phone 0832359210.

Mothercare Bouncy Chair

Okay I know that you don't get Mothercare in the SA, but if you know of anyone who lives there or is going there, get them to send you one of these!  They pack really small in pieces so can easily fit into the bottom of a suitcase, and they are very lightweight. I was lucky enough to have a friend in  London who's mom from SA was visiting, so she sent one down for me, and I cannot live without it. Caty (on the left!) goes in it every day -  completely secure and I can put her playgym over it. The great thing about it is that she is half lying down so it does not put any stress on muscles  that aren't ready to work yet, but she is still upright enough to see what's going on. Her own body weight and movement also keep her bouncing. I  have even caught Megan in it - all three years and fifteen kilo's of her - bouncing up and down thinking this is the best ride ever. So five stars for   durability - it didn't bend at all and carried her weight, although once baby is sitting you won't need it anymore! I use my bouncy chair a lot when I  am doing things around the house, so that baby can follow me around and watch while I am cooking, bathing big sister, etc. The best thing about it  was the price - only 12 Pounds, which translated into Rands is far cheaper than a lot of locally made products. Maybe one of our enteprising readers  can import them!  For more info see www.mothercare.co.uk.

Baby Sense Sling

Those of you who know me know that I am a big fan of all things Baby Sense. Maybe I am a little biased, as Meg Faure, co-author of the book Baby Sense, was the only person who could actually help me with my first baby, who was colicky and sensory and screamed non-stop! I remember at the time she recommended I get a sling – but couldn't tell me where to get one ! Well obviously she saw a gap in the market, and has since launched her own branded sling. I tell you – I wish I had this when Megan was a baby! I carry Caitlin around in it all the time – it takes her minutes to settle  when she's fussy, and she sleeps like a dream when she's in it. And best of all – my hands are free, and if she is asleep it's easy to take the  sling off and put her down in it as is (unlike the Kango pouch which has lots of fiddly clips and straps to undo!). The sling is made from soft chambray and gingham cotton (in beige or navy). The nylon rings have been tested for breaking force and are safe for use with babies. You can get a sling from most baby shops for around R250 (worth it – trust me!) or directly from Baby Sense for R290 – www.babysense.co.za.

Disclaimer: Mum's the Word recommendations are based purely on the editor's opinion and do not take the place of professional advice. Mum's the Word and its affiliates will not be held liable for any loss, harm or injury that may be experienced directly or indirectly, as a result of the use of any of the recommended products.