Mum-to-be Diary

The Mum Diary features reviews of some of the newest products to hit the market as well as general parenting information.

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The next generation of baby bouncer is here! Introducing the mamaRoo4…

Mum-to-be Diary: The next generation of baby bouncer is here! Introducing the mamaRoo4…

By Katie Ann Lamb The next generation of ‘baby bouncer’ has officially landed in the shape of the mamaRoo4. This is the original and only infant seat on the market that replicates natural motions of parents. This nontraditional futuristic design is a swing with a difference created by 4moms. The 4moms namesake comes from the […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Teetotal doesn’t have to spell the end of fun!

Mum-to-be Diary: Teetotal doesn’t have to spell the end of fun!

By KATIE ANN LAMB I think the immediate reaction from most people to the word “teetotal” is shock. Not drinking alcohol seems to be perceived as a negative by many. Having endured the last nine months alcohol free and sticking to non alcoholic drinks for pregnancy, I can honestly say that it’s not as bad […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Unique baby gifts by Fred & Noah

Mum-to-be Diary: Unique baby gifts by Fred & Noah

Summer is upon us and it seems like everybody is welcoming newborns in to the world. It can be quite hard to find a gift that doesn’t break the bank but is also unique and not something the parents are going to be gifted over and over again. I came across Fred & Noah a […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The Babymoov YOO-Travel Video Baby Monitor

Mum-to-be Diary: The Babymoov YOO-Travel Video Baby Monitor

By KATIE ANN WISEMAN There are a few different types of baby monitor – but the main difference is that some are audio only, others have audio and video monitoring. With the advances in modern technology in today’s society, for me its all about having both functionalities. The YOO-Travel Video Baby Monitor is part of […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Aden + Anais is a royal choice

Mum-to-be Diary: Aden + Anais is a royal choice

If you haven’t heard of the brand Aden + Anais then I am sure you will be familiar with the pale green cartoon birds muslin that Prince George was swaddled in when leaving the Lindo wing in 2012. With their own distinctive style and exclusive patterns Aden + Anais really is the Rolls Royce of Muslins […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The Chicco Balloon bouncer

Mum-to-be Diary: The Chicco Balloon bouncer

By KATIE ANN LAMB I have been giving lots of thought to how I can keep my little one occupied when he or she arrives with fun but educational accessories. The new Chicco Balloon bouncer provides hours of entertainment and stimulation from newborn to approx. 6-9month old. It is suitable from birth as the seat […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The Angelcare movement monitor

Mum-to-be Diary: The Angelcare movement monitor

By KATIE ANN LAMB When that time finally arrives for you to take your newborn home for the first night, it can be a very daunting prospect.  Suddenly you don’t have midwifes on call to calm those new parent nerves and assure you of what you’re doing. I am obviously excited but equally terrified at […]

 TheSloaney

Essential baby products for summer  

Essential baby products for summer  

With the heatwave looking set to last, it is really important to look after your baby’s skin. Whether you are holidaying at home in the beautiful sunshine, or heading abroad for some extra heat, here are some holiday essentials to pack for your little one… Sore bottoms are never nice at any time of the […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The Moba Moses Basket

Mum-to-be Diary: The Moba Moses Basket

By KATIE ANN LAMB When it comes to finding the best sleeping device for your baby, I personally don’t think you can get stronger then something that has the Lullaby Trust’s backing. This instantly provides the reassurance that a new mum or mum-to-be needs. Moba is the only moses basket to have an association with […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The Inovi Cocoon is the perfect newborn bed

Mum-to-be Diary: The Inovi Cocoon is the perfect newborn bed

By KATIE ANN WISEMAN Travelling for the first time with a baby can be quite a daunting experience. There is endless equipment to remember to pack… not to mention needing to factor in the environment you’re travelling to. I was very excited to discover the Inovi Cocoon, which is a compact and lightweight crib. It […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The PacaPod changing bag

Mum-to-be Diary: The PacaPod changing bag

By KATIE ANN WISEMAN I must be honest I have been very excited about receiving my PacaPod changing bag partly because they are so popular they have been sold out, therefore I recommend ordering yours now! Jacque line Waggett, Creator of PacaPod realised that there was a gap in the market for great-looking and practical […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Bravado Designs help to support an ever expanding bust

Mum-to-be Diary: Bravado Designs help to support an ever expanding bust

By KATIE ANN LAMB An unavoidable blessing for some, nuisance for others is the growing boobs that come with pregnancy. I am half way though and wondering when they are going to stop… I have outgrown all my bras by week eight! There are plenty of maternity bras on the market but with weekly changing […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: The Dreamgenii Pregnancy Pillow

Mum-to-be Diary: The Dreamgenii Pregnancy Pillow

By KATIE ANN LAMB As I approach the 20 week milestone and the depths of the second trimester, advice suggests I should be sleeping on my left side. This can reduce the risk of stillbirth and helps your kidneys to get rid of waste products and fluids from your body. Although I am not obviously demonstrating […]

 TheSloaney

Leave the hospital in safe hands with the Britax BABY-SAFE i-SIZE

Leave the hospital in safe hands with the Britax BABY-SAFE i-SIZE

By KATIE ANN LAMB Preparing for a baby is mind-boggling. There is so much to do and think about… nine months just doesn’t seem long enough! Probably one of the most important things is the car seat. In the UK if you have your baby in a hospital or birthing centre, you are required to […]

 TheSloaney

From sleepyheads to swaddling: Newborn bedtime accessories

From sleepyheads to swaddling: Newborn bedtime accessories

By KATIE ANN LAMB Despite mixed opinion in the media recently, I am personally a huge fan of the Sleepyhead. I have heard alot of positive feedback about the Sleepyhead from friends and it seems that the Sleepyhead DELUXE+ pod is the ultimate pod for your baby from the day you come home from hospital […]

 TheSloaney

The Mum Diary: The Britax Holiday stroller transforms travelling

The Mum Diary: The Britax Holiday stroller transforms travelling

As regular readers of the Mum Diary will know, I am often travelling with Baby, who is now nearly 10 months old. While I am a fan of sturdy prams and convenient travel systems, most models are relatively substantial in size. This often presents challenges when you travel. It can be difficult to fit them […]

 TheSloaney

The Sleep Easy Mama Kit is the perfect Mother’s Day gift for a mum-to-be

The Sleep Easy Mama Kit is the perfect Mother’s Day gift for a mum-to-be

Our resident Mum-to-be has discovered an excellent gift for pregnancy… Mother’s Day is this weekend and while it is the perfect time to celebrate mums, don’t forget the Mums-to-be! I recently discovered Mama Mio, which was founded in 2004 as one of the very first brands dedicated entirely to pregnancy skincare. Any pregnant mums will […]

 TheSloaney

The Mum Diary: Skiing with a baby

The Mum Diary: Skiing with a baby

I have just returned from a wonderful skiing holiday to Lech. My little one (8 months) joined the adventure and the trip was a great success. Travelling with a baby requires a different approach to when you are flying solo and there are also lots of extra things to think about if you take a […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: The new BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air has some impressive improvements

Mum Diary: The new BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air has some impressive improvements

Our resident Mum tries out the new BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air… Most new mums will agree that walking becomes an essential part of your daily routine with a newborn. Not only is it a great form of exercise but I find that getting out in the fresh air really helped my baby settle in […]

 TheSloaney

The Mum Diary: Solids made easy with the Beaba Babycook

The Mum Diary: Solids made easy with the Beaba Babycook

We first introduced Baby to solids at around four months. While the guidelines suggest six months as an ideal time, every baby is different and we consulted our health visitor before doing so. Many friends had also introduced solids early and found it very helpful for the routine. Initially, Little One only had fruit as […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: High chair time has arrived as grownup eating begins

Mum Diary: High chair time has arrived as grownup eating begins

Our first Christmas with Baby was so special and she really added some extra magic to the festivities. Although Baby is still only in her six month, there was plenty to excite her during December. The bright lights on the tree and rustling wrapping paper led to plenty of smiles during the celebrations and she […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: Stand out from the crowd with Blade and Rose clothing

Mum Diary: Stand out from the crowd with Blade and Rose clothing

I have decided that shopping for baby clothes can be quite addictive. Having not really noticed baby clothes before, now I seem to see them everywhere! Even when I visit the supermarket for a weekly food shop, I can’t resist sneaking over to the baby clothing aisle for a quick look at the new stock. […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: The Nuna LEAF is a sophisticated and relaxing piece of baby furniture

Mum Diary: The Nuna LEAF is a sophisticated and relaxing piece of baby furniture

If you are looking for a smart and sophisticated seat for your baby, look no further than the Nuna LEAF. This is a recent addition to our household and we have been so impressed with it from both an aesthetic and practical perspective. I must admit that I am partial to something that looks goods, […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: Nights away made easy with the BabyBjorn Travel Cot

Mum Diary: Nights away made easy with the BabyBjorn Travel Cot

Fancy visiting friends or booking a holiday with your Little One? Travelling with your baby couldn’t be easier with the BabyBjorn Travel Cot, as our Mum has discovered… While having a baby obviously changes a few things in your life, staying away from home certainly shouldn’t be one! Escaping can be a perfect tonic during […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: The new gb Vaya i-Size is a luxury car seat that ticks all of the boxes

Mum Diary: The new gb Vaya i-Size is a luxury car seat that ticks all of the boxes

There are car seats and then there is the gb Vaya i-Size. This new addition to the gb Platinum collection is in a league of its own and it presents parents with the ultimate luxury car seat. As a busy new mum, I am always racing around the place with Baby in tow. Whether it […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: The Osprey Poco AG Premium is the ultimate child carrier

Mum Diary: The Osprey Poco AG Premium is the ultimate child carrier

As the weeks pass, Baby is becoming bigger, more mature and is really enjoying spending as much time as possible outdoors. I am also feeling much more mobile myself and as my fitness returns, I am planning some action-packed adventures. One of the adjustments that I have made as a new mum is to make […]

 TheSloaney

Mum Diary: Baby bouncer bliss with BabyBjorn

Mum Diary: Baby bouncer bliss with BabyBjorn

As I came towards the end of my pregnancy, I started to stock up on a number of baby essentials. I didn’t want to go overboard and clutter up the house completely but I focused on getting the key accessories that would prove worthwhile purchases for our new arrival. My mum recommended a few vital […]

 TheSloaney

The Mum Diary: A Joolz pram is luxurious, stylish and practical

The Mum Diary: A Joolz pram is luxurious, stylish and practical

Wow! If I thought time was flying in the final stages of pregnancy, it is going even quicker now that Baby has arrived. I cannot believe a month has already passed. Life with our new addition is wonderful and we have adjusted well to a new structure. Having a summer baby means that there are […]

 TheSloaney

The Mum-to-be Diary becomes The Mum Diary

The Mum-to-be Diary becomes The Mum Diary

Our Mum-to-be ventures to Royal Ascot with her newborn — Wow – what a week it has been! It feels surreal to now be writing as a Mum and not a Mum-to-be. My husband and I were thrilled to welcome our first baby in to the world last week and we are utterly in love […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Me time

Mum-to-be Diary: Me time

Week 38 and counting… It is at this point in pregnancy when you really feel as though you can begin to get excited. It is nearly time for the big moment and it could happen at any point. Although there is a certain amount of anxiety that you experience in the final few weeks, this […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Preparing for a fitness drive with the BabyBjorn Carrier

Mum-to-be Diary: Preparing for a fitness drive with the BabyBjorn Carrier

Week 37 and counting… I have reached the final furlong and the big event is just around the corner! At the start of pregnancy, time seemed to go so slowly but, looking back, it has whizzed by. While I don’t feel any pressure to get back into shape, I have been longing to return to proper […]

 TheSloaney

Mum to be Diary: Beautiful Moses baskets from The Baby Cot Shop

Mum to be Diary: Beautiful Moses baskets from The Baby Cot Shop

Week 34 and counting Nursery design is in full swing now, even though I am finding it more and more difficult to move around the room and also get told off by my husband for carrying things. Although it seems impossible, Bump is still getting bigger and bigger by the day. Bending down is becoming […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: A big arrival (not Baby but a beautiful Baby Elegance Cot!)

Mum-to-be Diary: A big arrival (not Baby but a beautiful Baby Elegance Cot!)

Week 32 and counting Oh wow! How time flies. I have noticed that I keep saying that recently and perhaps it is even more noticeable when you have a big date pencilled in your diary! Recently there was a new arrival that made everything sink in. It wasn’t Baby – Baby is still growing at a […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Hallelujah! A good night of sleep thanks to the Soak and Sleep pregnancy pillow

Mum-to-be Diary: Hallelujah! A good night of sleep thanks to the Soak and Sleep pregnancy pillow

Week 30 and counting This week I am celebrating my first decent night of sleep for a long time! Sleep started to become a bit of a problem as soon as Baby decided that playing football in my tummy at 4am was a fun hobby. Also, waking up to go to the loo in the […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Elderflower & Delilah make breastfeeding stylish

Mum-to-be Diary: Elderflower & Delilah make breastfeeding stylish

Week 28 and counting It’s official. I’ve reached the third trimester. The final stretch awaits and I am now on the home straight. This week I’ve had mixed emotions about pregnancy. I am starting to feel tired again and the weight gain is happening in full force. This is probably not helped by the fact […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Fending off stretch marks!

Mum-to-be Diary: Fending off stretch marks!

27 weeks and counting At the time of writing, the sun is streaming through the window and it is a beautiful day outside. I feel as though we have enjoyed glimpses of spring over the last few weeks but with a gloriously sunny weekend ahead, it seems like it has finally arrived in full force. […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Pre-wedding pampering at Blush + Blow

Mum-to-be Diary: Pre-wedding pampering at Blush + Blow

A visit to a beauty salon will help you look your best for a big occasion during pregnancy...

Pregnancy stage: Week 25 and counting I recently attended the wedding of our Bride-to-be Katie Ann Lamb. Having such an important celebration during pregnancy can present its own challenges, especially when it comes to picking an outfit. I was very fortunate for this occasion as I had the privilege of being the Maid of Honour, […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Baby skincare products and bath time essentials

Mum-to-be Diary: Baby skincare products and bath time essentials

23 weeks and counting… I am approaching the six month mark and now it seems that time is flying. I remember the first few weeks of pregnancy felt like they passed very slowly and the due date seemed ages away. Now I can’t believe that there are only a few months left to go until […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Growing boobs and how to look after them!

Mum-to-be Diary: Growing boobs and how to look after them!

Week 22 and counting… Last week was a little bit hectic, so I missed an installment of the Mum-to-be Diary. The Sloaney team headed off to Dublin for a special weekend at the Irish Gold Cup to enjoy a final celebration for our Bride-to-be, Katie Ann Lamb, who gets married in a couple of weeks. […]

 TheSloaney

Mum-to-be Diary: Little Butterfly Pregnancy Massage at Sofitel London St James

Mum-to-be Diary: Little Butterfly Pregnancy Massage at Sofitel London St James

This week our Mum-to-be indulged in some TLC with the Little Butterfly Pregnancy Massage.

20 weeks and counting… I have definitely started getting bigger. Before I was pregnant, I was having the odd moan about putting on a few post-wedding pounds during our first year of marriage. However, it is a whole new story now. Bump has definitely arrived! Up until this point, I have been quite lucky with […]