The use of plants in your home has been advocated for many years. Nasa have spent a huge amount of time and money assessing various plant for their affect on our air quality and environment.

Basically plants give out oxygen and take in co2, which is the opposite of what humans do. So by having them in our confined spaces they can be a great source of providing more oxygen and reducing co2. These aren't the only things they absorb and release. Different types of plants do different things. Nasa's 'clean air study' results suggest that certain common indoor plants may provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air.

The suggested amount of plants various, but a medium size plant per 100sqft (9.3m2) of space is the rough suggested amount. Ie if you had one plant per room that would generally be plenty for the average sized house in Uk/Europe.

Starting out with a small plant in each bedroom and one in the living room would be a good start. You can then see what works best in your home, what you like best and add more later. Remember that with many of these plants, you can take cuttings from the established plant to grow another for free.

Chamomile

Grows easily and compact indoors in a pot. Only needs to be watered once a week. Can use the flowers to make chamomile tea. The flowers are a lovely addition indoors, and it should flower over winter also. There are several types of chamomile available, each with their own distinctive fragrance, so you can choose based on your personal preferences. German Chamomile has a sort of smoky apple scent that is long lasting. Roman chamomile is sweeter and usually used in perfumes but not as strong or long lasting. Whilst wild chamomile is fruitier and long lasting.

Lavender

A wonderful aroma as well as appearance. It can be used dried or in oil form, but an actual plant works great. They are fairly low maintenance. Lavender is edible, so although it is better to keep out of a small toddlers reach, thats more to do with a potential 2 year old emptying soil everywhere rather than any danger from taking a nibble. It needs sufficient sunlight to grow well and to be kept in a small pot. Water only when dry soil so it doesn't become waterlogged. Various studies have shown lavender to reduce stress levels, thus calming babies and promoting sleep.

Jasmine

Requires a warm sunny location. It doesn't grow outside well in cold climates so growing as an indoor plant gets around this. For indoor growing you want to purchase a 'dwarf' jasmine plant to keep the size scaled down.

Snake plant

This plant is virtually indestructible. Ours has survived a 1000 mile overseas relocation in a bashed up old ambulance, and then accidentally being left 6 weeks in a dark room without water. So if you aren't particularly green fingered, this could be the choice for you. The snake plant releases its oxygen during the night, so it is excellent for using to reduce the co2 levels in the bedroom and improve air quality.

Boston Fern

This is one of the best plants for helping to improve indoor air quality. It removes toxins from the air, as well as acting as an air humidifier. Needs to be put in a sunny location. Good to put in a newly painted bedroom to help reduce any toxins given out by the paint.

Prayer Plant

Available in various colours and sizes. Its leaves close up at night and open again in the day. Great for children's bedroom once they are old enough to watch the changes it makes during different different times of the day.

Jade Plant

Keep in a sunny location. Requires little water, and can grow as large as you want by moving to larger pots over time if you prefer a larger plant.

Aloe Vera

This is another plant that produces oxygen during the night and removes formaldehyde from the air , so will help with bedroom air quality. It needs a sunny location and little water so is fairly easy to keep alive.

Whilst the above plants have been used for many centuries throughout the world in various ways to enhance sleep, many others are also available. Plants of any size or sort will help the air quality in some way however large or small. So do have a good look around and consider other plants indoors. If you have a garden centre nearby, they can advice you which plants will work indoors only or indoors and outdoors depending on where you live.

Simple herbs in the kitchen to use in cooking are also a good way to introduce plants indoors. They are a great way to add greenery with young children as can be tasted and smelt and safely handled by all ages.

In children's bedrooms, I suggest putting all plants up high out of their reach if they are young as they are likely to be in their rooms alone at various points and the temptation to touch or move can be too much! Elsewhere in the house you can put where you would prefer.

Beside cots or co-sleeper cots are becoming more widely available than ever before. They allow the convenience of co sleeping with your child, but the safely of them being in their own space. The bonus being you also get more space in your own bed to stretch out still.

The huge advantage of using this style of cot is the convenience to you as a parent during the night. You can resettle your child to sleep whilst you are also in bed, simply by reaching out. When they are newborn and feeding overnight, you can also feed them in bed and then resettle next to you at arms reach instead of getting in and out of a warm bed.

There are several types on the market. Some however are very small so only last 3-6 months, similar to a Moses basket. Therefore my recommendations of what I have seen are based on those slightly longer lasting.

Most children can happily go into a main bed, toddler bed or mattress on the floor from 12-18 months old. A stair gate on the bedroom door can be added for safety if needed. So if you can get one co-sleeper to last until then, it can be really cost effective.

I usually suggest people progress to a full size single mattress on the floor after using a co-sleeper cot as its safe if they roll out as low down, and an adult can fit on the single mattress to help resettle child or read bedtime stories, rather than crouched next to a toddler bed. After a few months when child is a bit older, the mattress can be easily added to any single bed frame of your choice.

So for example if they used a co-sleeper cot from newborn -15 months old, they could then have mattress on floor 16months - 2 years, before progressing to adding a single frame to the mattress. The Mattress option is also easier to move if you want to maybe start them out sleeping in your bedroom still, and then move to their own room later. If needed it can be simply moved back in minutes.

Many co-sleepers available are material based. However, seeing as they are to be used by babies that are likely to poop, vomit or dribble over their bed at various times, for ease of cleaning I would stay with wood. Traditional wooden sides can be easily wiped down and cleaned quickly. A cot with fabric sides would need to be completely taken apart, and washed.

The Babybay Maxi

Price - varies - £140 - £299

94cm long x 51cm wide

Made from natural beechwood. The company also makes smaller sizes and those to fit boxspring beds. The 'maxi' is recommended for twins also, but being a slightly bigger size, its fantastic for single babies if you want something to last longer. At 94cm long, it should last until most babies reach 12-18 months old. They are a German company, so the best price currently seems to be to order from amazon.de. They deliver to anywhere in Europe. Otherwise it is available at Amazon uk, Mamas and papas and Natural baby shower.

Natural baby shower - https://www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk/collections/babybay/products/babybay-maxi-white

Baby dan - By my side crib

This is a nifty little cot. It can be used with the sides up as a regular cot, with one side down and attached as a co sleeper, and later as a bench

The mattress is 84cm x 40cm. So it is smaller than the Baby bay Maxi above. But at only £117 at the moment, it is a fair amount cheaper than the Baby bay Maxi, and at this size should still last a least until your baby is 12+ months

Adapting a regular cot

The other option is to use a regular cot or cot bed that is safe to use with one side off. Many cots are designed so they can be used with three sides only and the mattress adjusts to various heights to suit most beds. It can be then strapped to the main bed slats for safely, or put up against the wall with the bed up close so no gap can form in between. Many people have done this using an Ikea cot for the best cost saving, but many brands work. As its a full size cot, this way would allow you to co-sleep with a child for several years if you want to. This is probably not recommended by the companies that make them though as they haven't been safety checked to be used in this way, but if you are happy to make sure yourselves everything is secure then its a good option. If you type in 'ikea co-sleeper' for example you will get a lot of ideas how people have adapted them. Generally you may have to add some straps to the legs to make sure its tightly secure to your own bed so no gap appears. This is a handy way to make use of what you have also if you have already purchased a cot, or have one from an older child.

There are many other co-sleeper type cots available outside of the Uk. Most European based ones will deliver for a small fee, and often this fee is of-set by the fact the cot is cheaper in the first place. Co-sleeping has also been promoted for longer in most of Europe outside the Uk so more products are available. So if you are happy to look around online with international delivery, the choice is greater.

Have fun with choosing your babies first bed.

It may be snowing regularly where you live, or it may only snow on occasion. You may have just experienced the 2018 'Beast from the East' snow in the UK. For some of you, the use of a pushchair in snow challenge only occurs during their annual holiday to the ski slopes. Either way, for many people, a pushchair that will cope in the snow is hugely beneficial.

Bare in mind that those suitable for the snow, are generally also the same ones that work well on any type of rough terrain, so can be used all year round in various locations. Making it possible to just purchase one pushchair to use from birth to toddler, and across snow, sand, in the woods, and in town.

Below includes mainly suggestions that are suitable to use all year round, fairly compact in terms of jogging/all terrain type pushchairs, and also reasonably priced.

The Mountain Buggy - Swift

The key here is in the name, these buggies are designed for the "Mountains", so easily capable to use over any terrain. They come in various sizes, some with bigger wheels than others, and they have twin and sibling pushchairs available. The 'Terrain' is the largest, and 'Mini' is the smallest with several models in between.

I suggest the Mountain buggy Swift. It's a compact three wheeler that works great both in the snow and in off road conditions, yet is small enough to be used daily in town, shops and folded into car boot. A great all rounder. It's suitable from birth in main seat, but a parent facing carrycot that converts to a parent facing seat is also available separately. The 10'' air filled wheels cope well in most environments, and allow for a smooth ride. At 9.1kg is it one of the lighter range of pushchairs suitable for the snow and off road, and the main pushchair folds in one piece for easy folding. It folds relatively small enough to easily fit in most standard car boots. It accommodates up to 20kg in weight which is the average 4-5 year old so it should last right up until you no longer need to use a pushchair.

At £349.99 for the main pushchair it is a really good price.

The Carrycot plus is currently £139.99.

Bumbleride Indie

Bumbleride is an American company, who produce eco friendly pushchairs made from recycled materials. The 'Indie' comes with 12'' wheels which are perfect for snowy climates, and yet not too big it can't be used in day to day life elsewhere. As with the others, the main seat is suitable from birth, and a separate carrycot if you prefer. At 10.8kg its a good weight for a pushchair with 12'' wheels, and takes almost 25kg worth of weight (5 year old +). Folds in one piece.

Trends for kids (TFK) joggster trail

A great off road pushchair which works well in snow. This is a well made german brand, designed to be simple yet efficient. The pushchair is suitable from birth in main seat, and very spacious. Space wise it would easily fit a 5 year old if needed. Carrycot is available separately, with the 'multi x' carrycot also giving a long lasting parent facing option. Handbrake makes braking easier downhill and in snowy conditions. Folds easily. Plenty of storage. At 12.6kg its one of my heavier recommendations, but still lighter than most snow suitable pushchairs on the market.

Around £550

Thule urban glide

Designed and made by Thule, who most of you will recognise for car roof boxes, bike racks and bike trailers. They have now expanded their outdoor portfolio into outdoor all terrain pushchairs. The Thule urban glide is the smaller of the range, making it much more suitable if you want to be able to purchase just one pushchair and use all year around. Its 10.5kg which is great for this product, but at 65cm wide it is wider than the others, and does have a larger fold. However it is also the most rugged on the list, and will be able to go virtually anywhere. With its huge underneath storage you and a whopping 34kg capacity, you could go out fully loaded for a long day trip out in the mountains and probably store half your ski equipment underneath. This is a great pushchair if you also want older toddlers to be able to nap well whilst you are outside in the snow. Additional carrycot available.

I hope these suggestions help you with your decision as to which off -road and snow suitable pram may work for you. Remember, a good purchase from newborn, can save having to buy anything else later on.

And it will allow you get to the shops to panic buy milk apocalypse style during the next 'Snowmageddon'!

Winter is upon us. It might be chilly outside, but wrap up warm and its still a lovely time to head outdoors with children for some fresh air. A walk outside can often lead to excellent snoozing all around. Babies will often nap in their pram or sling outside, toddlers can run about and then nap and sleep better at night, and those old enough to not need a nap anymore usually have buckets of energy to burn during the day if you are hoping for 8pm bedtime.

In most of Europe it is generally cold for around 6 months of the year. Some months its below freezing, some its only cold during the night, and most a combination. So you can't really hibernate indoors for quite the whole cold period as its a fair amount of time, and most of you no doubt have other 'stuff' you want to get done. So investing in some decent warm layers really is a must to make outside time enjoyable. A baby who is cold is unlikely to take an hour nap outside, and a child underdressed is unlikely to want to continue a winters walk or playing outside.

My recommendations are based on past use of the same or similar items, and I recommend buying things that are longer lasting and unisex if possible to continue using as they grow or to pass down to siblings or friends.

I advocate using natural materials where possible. They are warm, eco friendly, and healthy for young children to be breathing in the fibres, potentially chewing on and last well.

Blankets

Disana blankets are made from stretchy Merino wool. It is available in 10 colours so a huge selection to choose from and can be washed easily in a washing machine on a wool wash. Lovely as a sofa blanket or on beds after the baby years are over so really is a long lasting product that can be used forever. During baby years its lovely in a pram, can be used for swaddling or as a playmat. Really handy in the car also for all aged children to pop over them once safely strapped in if chilly.

The nod pod is another ideal winter baby item. It can be used in a pram or car seat safely as baby can be strapped in with feet inside and then blanket folded over the top of the straps. This is great in the car as coats aren’t recommend due to the straps not being able going tight enough. It can be used in a sling or just generally around the house. the advantage over an all in one fleecy type snowsuit is that once indoors it is easier to open up the blanket at the front so they do not overheat, yet without waking baby pulling arms out of thick sleeves of a coat.

Sheepskin liners and footmuffs

Adding sheepskin to your child’s pushchair really can make all the difference to getting them to enjoy being outside whilst its cold, and to encourage small children to sleep whilst out and about.

A carrycot can have a liner added which sits on top of the mattress and makes the carrycot much cosier, warmer and helps shield baby against feeling all the bumps from the paths. A liner is very useful as can be used indoors in the carrycot, added to the Moses basket for daytime naps, and used on the floor as a playmat or safe place to nap at home and whilst visiting other people.

A footmuff is basically the liner with blanket part onto zipped in. They are usually most suitable for once baby is 6+ months and in a main seat of the pram. Many have a zip off option so you can use as a liner only in summer and when smaller.

Gabe and grace is my favourite company for these products. They use Ethical Merino wool sourced from Australia and New Zealand. They specialise in making them custom made for each type and size of pram, car seat or Moses basket so you can get a really good fit. Even though they have a huge selection, price wise they are the same as a standard off the shelf sheepskin liner or footmuff so no extra budget needed.

Hats, gloves and booties

If your wanting a little luxury and a splash of colour, these knitted bonnet style hats are what your looking for. In 8 different colours, they are suitable for everyone. They come in several sizes from 0 -18 months, but the website MamaOwl suggests they last through a good few sizes ie size 3 months actually lasts newborn - 8/9 months, so no need to buy size 0 month or 6 month.

They are designed by Danish company 'My World Kids' and are hand knitted by a knitting cooperative in Peru from 100% Baby Alpaca. You can find them online at MamaOwl.

Baa baby do a fabulous selection of sheepskin clothing. A sections of various hats, Mittens and booties, as well as Footmuffs and pram liners. These warm mittens and baby booties below are great. Both are neutral colours so go with most things, and can be used for either gender. The cuffs allow for them to be turned up or down to extend the use as baby grows.

Mittens - £12 http://www.baababy.co.uk/hats-gloves/baby-sheepskin-puddy-mittens-on-string-chestnut.html

Booties - £13.50 http://www.baababy.co.uk/booties-slippers/lambskin-sock-booties-934.html

A combination of the above items or similar will leave your baby cosy, warm and hopefully snoozing on your trips outside during these cold few months. Don't forget to also wrap yourselves up, otherwise you will be left frozen and miserable, yet with a happy, content and warm baby. Happy Winter!

How to enjoy a great winter holiday with children whilst keeping their sleep intact

Skiing as a family is become more and more popular. Finding one you can enjoy as a family can often be a challenge.

Bad Kleinkirchheim is a ski, spa and hiking resort in the Nockberge mountains of Carinthia in Southern Austria. It is a great location for a family friendly holiday throughout the year, and has a long reputation for its alpine Spa and Ski combo.

Top Altitude:2055m

Resort Altitude:1100m

It has became a world cup ski resort, and is where the famous Downhill Champion Franz Klammer prepared for his races. The next ski world cup race in 2018 is being held this coming January.

You can ski straight away from walking out of many of the apartments or hotels, but the resort is a little spread out in places. There is a free ski bus within the resort if needed. To allow for full flexibility of skiing a little further away, getting to and from the airport and visiting nearby places to enjoy other aspects of a winter holiday, we would recommend hiring a car from the airport or bringing your own if driving there. The nearby lakes, fabulous restaurants and various weekly markets and museums are worth the short drive.

There is plenty of places to walk to with a baby or small child in a pram, where they can nap during the day, and you can relax outside on the slopes with a mulled glüwein and they can toddle around to explore once awake.

It is also a great all round resort for early and late in the ski season as the snowy pistes are over grassy hills rather than rocks as in many other resorts so a lower snow coverage still allows for excellent ski opportunities. They do also have a huge number of snow cannons if needed that cover around 95% of the pistes.

Accommodation

There is a huge variety of accommodation available for families. There are various hotels, chalets and apartments available all over. You can choose whether to stay in Bad Kleinkirchheim or St Oswald which are both part of the same ski resort, or to stay around 20mins away and stay on the famous lakes of Millstaettersee, or in surrounding villages.

Our recommendations for families with young children is to rent a 2+ bedroom apartment or use a hotel with large family rooms with separate spaces. If you are travelling as a large family group a private chalet exclusively for you and your friends is a great option. These all allow children to sleep in a space similar to their home environment so everyone gets a good nights sleep (and naps) throughout your stay.

Many of these types of places will also cater for babies and children in terms of equipment to save you travelling with everything. Things like cots, highchairs and pushchairs with large snow wheels are often available.

Some privately rented apartments will also have the options to ask the owners if they can source anything you may need for babies and young children in advance for a small cost such as baby formula, nappies or similar, which is fantastic to save your suitcase space.

Top recommendations:

Hotel Ronacher

5 star hotel, large family suites, close to the ski schools and lifts, children's entertainment, on site spa.

Ferienwohnungen Familie Wetzlinger

3 bedroom apartment, sleeps 6 plus additonal babies in cots, full kitchen and large living area, close to lifts and St.Katherins Spa. Very reasonable price for the large size.

Eschenhof family hotel and Landhaus Mauerwirt

The hotel is especially catered to families and includes many services and extras to those travelling with young children. baby service, restaurants and spa onsite. The Landhaus Mauerwirt are self catered apartments as part of the hotel group and sleep from 2-10 people for families wanting more private space.

Skiing With Children

Four ski schools to choose fromSki kindergarten from 3+ yearsBrand new kids slope for winter season 2017/18 Band new snowpark Skidoo tours for children

Off Piste Winter Sports

TobogganingSnow shoe walkingCross country skiingIce skating (on the frozen nearby lakes, which are turned into an ice rink by snow ploughs)Horse drawn sleigh rides

(image: Winter at Brennsee Lake in Feld am See. Each winter it Freezes over and an ice rink is marked out by snow ploughs. Ice skates can be hired nearby, but it is also fine to just walk around in warm boots, and many push prams around it)

Restaurants

Buschenschank Hübelbauer - Casual locally sourced Austrian specialities.

Gasthof Sportalm - Excellent Pizza and Traditional Austrian cuisine in a traditional Austrian setting.

Landhaus Lindenhoff - located in Feld am see. Award wining gourmet food. A good option for a special occasion

Trattlers Einkehr - Wonderful outdoor seating area with open fire, as well as a large indoor setting. Local cuisine. Perfect for lunch outside in warm winter sun, or a cosy evening indoors.

Spas

The natural spring bathing spas of Bad Kleinkirchheim are world renowned and what gives the area its name. 'Bad' meaning 'to bathe'.

There are several public baths which are open to everybody of all ages, and a large majority of hotels in the area also have their own on site spas of various sizes. Even small private chalets or apartments will often include a sausna or steam room, some even a jacuzzi.

The main public spas are:

The Thermal Römerbad - Designed by the same architect who designed the Munich Olympic stadium.Includes a huge range of saunas and steam rooms of various types and temperatues. Outdoor panaramic pool, thermal pool and indoor pools. Restaurant, relaxing lounges and treatment rooms also on site.

St. Katherin family health spa - Brand new this year. Perfectly catered to those with families. Indoor and outdoor heated pools, some to relax, some with slides and a baby pool. Jacuzzis, staunas, steam rooms. On site restaurant, treatment rooms and lounges.

Karlbad - located on the outskirts of Bad Kleinkirchheim, off the beaten track in the Nockberge mountains. In a 500 year old farmhouse, it is one of the oldest and one of the few remaining traditional medieval style bathing houses in Austria. Its a one of kind experience. Requires booking at least 3+ weeks in advance so pre book before to travel. Probably the least small child friendly option. A small family run spa so any personal enquiries can always be asked before you book.

Ski Pass Options

You can buy a standard ski pass valid for just within Bad Kleinkirchheim and St Oswald, which is plenty to keep everyone amused for the week. These are available from all list pass offices in resort.

However for skiing in and around Bad Kleinkirchheim, and having the opportunity to ski in various locations nearby we would recommend buying a ‘Topskipass’. This allows you to also choose to ski in many of the other ski resorts nearby. Its also available at all regular list pass offices in any of the resorts included:

‘’A ski pass that opens the way for 31 of the most beautiful ski resorts in Carinthia and East Tyrol. With 850km of pistes. The magic words are: SKI CAROUSEL

The Topskipass allows you to enjoy a different top ski resort every time you go skiing. The villages around the lake serve as a access points: all destinations can be reached within 30 minutes of Millstattersee.’’

The huge advantage here means you can ski where the snow is best each day. So if its fresh powder and sun in one, but overcast in another, you can decide each morning where to go.

How to get there

Nearby airports:

Klagenfurt - approximately 1 hr

Ljubljana (Slovenia) - approximately 90 Mins

Salzburg - Approximately 2 hrs

Munich - 3 1/2 hours

Train

From various European locations you can take the train to the towns of Spittal or Villach - then a bus or taxi will transfer you to your accommodation.

Car

Driving from Germany: the route takes you via Munich and on into the beautiful Salzburg and continues down via the A10 into Spittal an der Drau via B98 and the Millstätter Lake. From the Millstätter Lake, follow the B98 onto the B88 which will lead you past Radenthein and up into the mountains.

Driving from Klagenfurt: the B95 will take you directly to the top of Badkleinkirchheim

Driving from Vienna: this will head south, via Leoben, and bring you through the ski resort of Türracherhohe north of Bad Kleinkirchheim. (you have the opportunity to ski in both areas during your stay)

Parking is free of charge at all ski resort entry points.

A holiday is always a daunting prospect with small children. Especially for the first time. But by selecting a location where both parents and children can relax, where children are welcomed, and activities are available for all ages it really does make it more enjoyable.

You have just had a new baby. Congratulations. However the problem seems to be they have let you take this new small being home, without so much as a certificate of ownership, let alone an instruction manual.

Early good habits are a great thing to reinforce. They don’t need to be strict or even a routine, but can really help with the ease of your new baby.

I’m regularly asked about how to get a baby to sleep. My answer is that I can’t just ‘get’ or ‘force’ a child to sleep, but I can do a lot to encourage them to sleep themselves.

It is often the same as an adult. Most adults also put themselves in a vague routine and similar environment before they can sleep well. I’m sure many of you have said yourself or heard others say that although they had a nice time away, its still good to be home. Familiarity of knowing where things are, and what happens when is what the majority of the population like. Its the same with a baby.

Mini tip 1: Create a simple sleep routine

This should be very simple, and ideally portable to any environment. This will help you get baby to sleep or nap at home, outside, or away. It should be less than 5-10 minutes, so don’t include things like baths or feeding in these.

Mini tip 2: Don’t feed to sleep

I know this sounds counter intuitive but its really key to sleep being easier throughout the day and night. The issue with feeding to sleep if that then baby may often need to be fed again each time to resettle, as they don’t learn to sleep without milk as a prop. This becomes awkward if you have only just fed your baby 30 mins before so they aren’t hungry enough to feed again, and you end up with a cycle of sleep refusal.

For a good habit to begin early try and feed unrelated from sleep, and in a day environment. Somewhere like feeding baby in living room with normal living noises and lighting. When baby has fed and is sleepy, wake them slightly by sitting them up to burp them. Then transfer to where you want them to sleep. This should be in the same room as your before 6 months old due to current SIDS guidelines. The same applies for older babies and toddlers who have milk before a nap or bedtime, always have in living room, unrelated to bedtime routine.

Mini tip 3: Minimal interactions and helping them to sleep

Many babies and children need help to fall sleep. But don’t go to their cot picking them up and rocking straight away if unneeded. When baby cries and needs comforting, start gradual with vocal soothing of ‘shh shh’ softly near them, in some cases this can be enough. If it isn’t the next stage would be touch of gently patting or stroking them, alongside vocal reassurance. Only after these first two attempts should you pick them up, as once picked up its much harder to resettle as you then need to be able to put down and do the first two stages again. If they are picked up try to not rock them or pace the floor if it isn’t needed and keep conversation to minimal ‘shh shh’ reassurance. Do the stages in reverse to get them back to sleep.

Remember, the idea is to create easy sleep patterns and routines to suit you as a family. Some of you may have just one baby to fit into your daily routines, or you may need to fit in around a work schedule. Others may have six other children, some chickens and partridge in a pear tree to accommodate around as well.

What may work for a good friend around the corner or helped Great Aunt Edna 59 years ago, might not work for your own family group. So try including your own small sleeping cues with your own child and see which brings about results. Good Luck!

There have always been a few of these type of car seats around. However in the last 12 months there seems to have been quiet a few new products on the market. They are a great idea if you are using the car every day, or do any long distance travel. As with many baby products, it can seem a minefield sometimes trying to find the information you want. hopefully here are some answers you have been looking for in simple terms. There are additional links below for anyone wanting to read further.

How Long should a baby stay in a car seat at one time?

Here are the Current guidelines for how long a baby should be in a car seat:

The research to show the safe amount of time a baby can be in a car seat has shown that the car seat can cause a baby’s oxygen saturation levels to drop. When tests have been carried out, the oxygen saturation levels have been shown to drop within 30 minutes.The ‘2 hour rule’ is generally thought to be the maximum amount of time a baby should be in their seat at any one time, although some organisations cite 90 minutes.There are other risks associated with infants spending too much time in their car seat, such as the development of ‘flat head syndrome’.

This Figure 1 picture. shows how a babies airway can be blocked if they are sat up with their head bent. You can see how having their neck forward resting their chin on chest then restricts the airway size.

Your baby must always use their car seat when in the car, but parents and carers should ensure they plan time for regular breaks of at least 20 minutes before continuing use of the car seat.

If a car seat is going to be used on a pram chassis, it should only be used for quick trips, and baby is safest being transferred to the lie flat pram if you will be out for any length of time. The current trend does seem to be that most stores sell a pram and car seat as a package. This is usually the same brand car seat being sold to fit with the pram. However this often means that whilst the pram you choose is great, the car seat to match may not be the safest. Its best to choose a pram separately that suits your lifestyle, and then a car seat separately. Many new extended rear facing seats for example remain fixed in the car so no need to be compatible with any pram.

http://www.roadsafetygb.org.uk/pages/roadsafetyweek/seminar-childseats.html

Therefore a lie flat car seat can greatly reduce some of these risks. Primarily the fact that a regular car seat can often restrict a babies airways due to the positioning on their necks.

A ‘Which’ study showed ‘’The average oxygen saturation level declined to 95.7% when a child spent 60 minutes in a child car seat, as opposed to 97.9% in a cot bed, with the lowest average level being 83.6%.’’ This was after just 30 mins in the car seat.

As you can see the guidelines vary. They basically show that there is a huge drop in a babies oxygen levels as time goes on. 30 mins is all it takes to get these low levels, and 90 mins in a car seat is the maximum recommend by most. 90 mins should really be only when you absolutely have to travel long distance in a car, and not from a baby in a car seat on a pram. For daily use 30 mins at a time is the safest option if using a non lie flat car seat, and then try and take out for at least 20mins before using again.

Lie Flat Car seats on the Market

These are the couple below that I have been looking at recently. They aren’t the full range available, but they are the ones that I feel are currently the most worth looking into, and they also rate highly on safety aspects compared to some of the older lie flat options on the market. They both have an additional recline function compared with the average car seat which will help greatly with the length of time they can stay safer in the car seat. However they are still all car seats, so should primarily be used in the car and short trips in and out of the car only. A fully lie flat pushchair, pram carrycot or a sling should be used for any longer trips out of the car, for both comfort and health of baby.

Kiddy Evo-Lunafix Group 0+ Baby Car Seat and Base

This is a great new seat on the market. It is one of the only models that can be used in recline mode in the car as well as out. It can only be installed using the base with Isofix.

It can also be used on pram as travel system in recline mode. So this seat can be kept in the recline flatter mode from strapping them in in your home, transferring into the car, and used out of the car on pram when needed. This car seat really comes into its own if your live somewhere where you are regularly driving for an hour plus at a time. Its currently £319.99 for both the seat and base at John Lewis.

http://www.kiddyuk.com/infant-carriers/evo-lunafix

Cybex Cloud Q Car Seat

This is the relatively new Cloud Q from Cybex. It comes out excellently in Which reviews. This seat can be used installed in the car using either the Isofix base or seat belted. the reviews for both are good. Its £310 for the seat and base, and £200 for just the seat. So this is a cheaper option if you want an additional lie flat feature but don’t need or want the isofix base. It cannot be used in the lie flat position however in the car, only outside being carried or on pram. Therefore this isn’t particularly helpful if you need it for long journeys as it will be in the regular seated position, but it is very helpful if you need to be in and out of the car taking an older child to school for example, or if you want somewhere there can safely sleep in at the doctors or a restaurant where there might not be space for a pram. It lie almost 180 degrees flat, and will virtually eliminate all of the issues of a regular car seat restricting a young babies airways due to its positioning. It is a great car seat for those with premature or smaller babies also.

http://cybex-online.com/gb/carseats/cloudq.html

Where are they available?

Most High street stores selling baby car seats will now stock these seats, so you can always go in and take a look. Many will also let you try for size in your car also before you buy. They of course are also available online.

Hopefully this is allows some of you to gather the information you may be looking for regarding this subject, so you can the make informed decisions on car seat usage with your baby.

Additional information and research on the prolonged use of car seats is available:

The lullaby trust – http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/infant-cardiorespiratory-function-and-car-seats

Which – http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/09/which-warns-of-child-car-seat-risks-after-childs-death-294964/

NCT – https://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/what-flat-head-syndrome-plagiocephaly-or-brachycephaly

Medical News- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263488.php

– http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/161751.php

Best buggy – http://www.bestbuggy.co.uk/2015/01/lie-flat-infant-carriers/

So we are now right in the middle of the ski season. Half term is upon us, with thousands of us flocking to the slopes for a week of powder. Your a seasoned skier so you know the drill, and what to pack. Until you have a baby!

I’m sure many have travelled with small children to various places before, and have realised you now seem to have accumulated half of your house by the time you are at the airport.

Skiing especially has more luggage than average if you are bringing you own equipment (skis/ snowboard, helmet and boots). However a baby obviously won’t be skiing so theoretically the core things they require abroad should be the same as most other destinations.

So here’s some ideas of what the bring to make the week easier, and less loaded down with ‘stuff’, whilst still having everything you will need.

Baby sleeping:

Where do they sleep at home? Trying to replicate at destination is generally the easiest.

So if you safely co sleep at home then this is great as requires little to be taken. I would suggest not trying abroad first time if you don’t usually as harder to do safely in unknown sleeping environment. Otherwise you will need a travel cot of some kind. Call ahead to your ski chalet or hotel to see if they provide cots. This is the easier option as one piece of luggage less. I would then take your own cot sheet with you ( then you know for sure how clean it is), and either baby sleeping bag, Swaddle or blanket you usually use at home. This will keep the sleeping space as familiar as possible for baby and hopefully help them settle whilst you are away. If no travel cot is available then you will need to take your own. Do invest in the smallest possible, as this makes the world of difference. I will be adding a few travel cot recommendations in a separate entry. Again, take own bedding. You might be able to take blanket to sleep with on plane as regular blanket or for on transfer if suitable, which will save some luggage space.

Baby Clothing:

Pack everything onto a large bed, then take away at least half! You don’t need that much. Bare in mind in the cold climate most of the time you will only be seeing the outside layers as wrapped up.

Ski suit or coat – for small baby not crawling I wouldn’t take a large padded snowsuit. They will overheat as soon as indoors anywhere, and can’t fit in a baby sling easily. Take a woollen or fleecy type all in one instead, ideally with integrated feet and mittens.

For crawling age take x2 snowsuits, one padded incase they crawl or sit in snow, the other woollen or fleecy as above to use in sling, or if heading indoors often. Toddler age x2 padded snow suits, one may wet too wet if playing or sitting in snow so you will need a dry one for later in the day whilst the first one dries. Pack all in main luggage and don’t put one on for travel as they can overheat easily.

Blankets – take at least x2 small warm blankets. One in main luggage, one in hand-luggage. Ideally take one suitable for night sleeping ie breathable. Take small ones so they take up little room and can be used on plane, during transfer, in pram in resort ( if taking), wrapped around sling, and at night.

Regular Clothes – I recommend just taking baby grows and baby vests to be honest. This is for all babies which in content with this blog I’m saying is approx 0-18months. You can get warmer ones like velour, merino wool, or fleece if you prefer. They cover babies back and feet at all times so no cold spots or draughts. And can be used day and night easily. Then depending on temperatures and how long outside, add thick socks over the bottoms, tights underneath, a thin jumper or cardigan, and thicker cardigan. Then into all in one type suit.

For an average Saturday to Saturday trip I would take:

10 baby popper type vests10 baby grows2 thin jumpers ( to go over baby grow)2 thicker cardigans ( to go over thin jumper or instead of depending on temp)2 thick socks ( these over baby grow feet so not in contact with skin, just for extra warmth)

Plus baby will be wearing an outfit during travel, and I would pack two changes of clothes in handluggage ( vest and baby grow x2)

Baby Equipment

Again keep minimal and consider where you are going and what type of holiday it will be.

Travel cot – covered above. Decide if you need to take one

Sling – take for sure. Ideal for using at airport, and in resort where pram difficult to use. One with hip support ideally such as the Boba 4g, Ergo or manduca. You can add a waterproof winter cover or just a regular blanket and wear under own ski coat

Pram – is this needed? A sling will her will be more useful here, but if you want to use one look into hiring at a ski equipment shop in resort, just call ahead to check and reserve. They will have bigger wheels to cope with the snow. Bring a warm footmuff if planning to use pram or check if provided, as baby will get colder than if they are in a sling next to your body heat

Car seat – this will depend on how you are getting up into the mountains. I would take your own one if you are hiring a car or taking a private transfer in mini bus. If your going by a main company bus however most only have lap seatbelts which won’t strap car seats in, so you usually need to just hold baby on your lap.

Nappies and Formula – these take up space but are expensive and can be hard to get in some resorts so I would take with you. Call ahead to hotel or chalet though, as many catering for families will have the option of you paying a fee for them to source nappies and formula in advance for you so they are there on arrival. Take extra nappies as altitude can affect babies feeding or bowel patterns so I would recommend 2 more than usual daily. Take extra formula if using as babies need more liquids at altitude.

Baby Handluggage

Use a rucksack rather than handbag. It means you have more space as well as and being hands free. Combined with sling you can have all essentials and baby attached and off you go.Take x2 baby changes of clothes ( see above), plus x1 change for adults ( incase of baby puke!).1 nappy for every hour of travel plus extra 2, include transfers at both ends in your travel time. So London Heathrow to Geneva is approx 2 hrs flight, plus 2 hrs travelling to airport and through security and waiting, plus 3 hrs drive to resort. Add 1hr for security and luggage collection in Geneva. 8hrs. Plus x2 spare. Take 10 nappies!Take baby formula and bottles if needed.Take water beaker if over 6 months.Small book and small toy if old enough.

When packing the adult stuff do the same with packing onto the bed and taking away things you could do without.

If you are taking own ski equipment look how to keep it reduced in the amount of luggage. So if you have x2 sets of skis to take between you, get a snowboard bag rather than ski bag. They are much bigger and can fit x2 sets skis, plus at least X1 set of ski boots ( possible x2 depending on bag), plus your ski trousers and random pairs of ski socks stuffed in boots! This will help save space in suitcase or duffel bag for regular clothes and any baby stuff.

Bare in mind that a child under 2 years will not usually have their own seat on the plane, so also has no main luggage allowance, so their stuff will need to fit within you luggage allowance. That’s often 15kg suitcase, so 30kg max if x2 adults travelling.

An infant gets usually x1 or x2 free pieces of “equipment” to travel with, depending on airline. That’s a pram, car seat or travel cot. So if you needed to take all three you would need to pay extra per item. Hence try as much as possible to buy travel cot small enough to fit inside main case, or hire, and leave pram at home. So just car seat with you for free.

A tip if taking car seat and checking in is to buy a car seat bag, then can store baby nappies within the seat and zip in. Again saving room elsewhere.

Adults should pack own helmet with goggles and hat inside hand luggage rucksack to save space in the main case, if you pack at the bottom there should be plenty of space between parents to fit baby stuff in handluggage.

Remember though that almost all ski resorts are well connected. You might pay a premium if you forget anything but you can usually buy or hire there for a small fee so it’s not the end of the world. Babies travelling lightweight can be done. There are the options of taking more but with calling ahead and checking what’s available you can really reduce and make it easier for all.

Enjoy the snow, eat alpine cheese, and think how it’s only in a few years time, that baby can join you on a pair of skis themselves…