Baby equipment

A very interesting and meaningful forum, I really like your content. Thank you for sharing information. Find out about me here. powerlineio.co

If you want to have a baby trend jogging stroller then this one is perfect. It offers many great features and due to many great items, it is considered as the preferred selection of parents. It has got a tray which is capable of placing two cups in it. Moreover, it is really easier to move as it is the light weight stroller. Parents can easily carry it wherever they want as it is easy to connect with car seats.
Baby Trend EZ Ride 5 Travel System Review

Snoozeshade Original - overall rating 9/10

(From Anon)

(2014) It’s always annoying when you finally get the baby to sleep in the pram, only for them to be woken up by the bright gazing sun. That’s why the Snoozeshade has been a god send!

The fabric is dark to keep the light out, but thin enough for it to be breathable. This was one of my main concerns before using it - whether it would just become unbearably hot inside - but it turns out I needn’t have worried! If you’re really fretting, there is a zip at the front you can keep open. The zip is also good to check whether your baby has actually fallen asleep!

The shade gives sun protection and blocks 99% of the sun’s UV rays. As well as a sunshade, I’ve also used it to shield my baby from the wind.

The Snoozeshade comes in a handy bag and can easily be folded away. It’s really quick to fit onto the pram and is very secure. I use to worry about the muslin covering my pram blowing away or falling on my baby, but this nicely stays in place with poppers.

I would definitely recommend the Snoozeshade - it means I can remove all distractions when we’re out and about so my baby can get his crucial nap-time, it’s great as a sunshade and it’s very easy to fold away into my bag.

Silver Cross Porter house Cot Bed - overall rating 9/10

(From Anon)

(2014) We received the Silver Cross Porterhouse cot bed to review - and I must say, it's absolutely gorgeous!

We had it delivered a few months before the baby was due, so we were ready for his arrival. I received a text message to say what day and whether it would be AM or PM the cot bed would arrive, and the men phoned me in the morning to confirm the time. They arrived on time, took their shoes off (I was very impressed by this - countless times I've had to clean up after delivery men/gas men etc!) and carried the cot bed upstairs. I had the build service so they promptly got to work building my cot bed after I signed a few papers. It took them less than half an hour to build the cot and they took away the boxes when they left. DH was very happy he didn't have to lift a finger. Perfect!

First impressions of the cot bed - great quality and finish to the paintwork in an ivory colour. There is a drawer at the bottom of the cot bed, which is very deep and handy for blankets, bedding etc. My only gripe was that there wasn't a shelf above the drawer, so when the base of the cot is set higher, the contents of the drawer is exposed.

We lowered the base and tried out the cot bed prior to the arrival of our newborn with my eight month old nephew - who really put up a fight at nap time! His attempts to shake the bars came to no avail, the cot bed remains sturdy and he didn't mark it (it has baby-safe teething rails) - typical of Silver Cross quality.

We've had the cot bed in use for a week now, and it's been perfect. It's a standard cot bed size (Length 146cm x Width 78cm x Height 100cm), so we purchased a mattress and the fitted sheet elsewhere (Silver Cross didn't have cot bed mattresses available when I ordered the cot bed, but there is a new range available now). We're yet to purchase a cot bed bumper, as our standard cot bumper from DS1 is too small to fit. The drawer has been very useful, it's great to have that extra bit of storage for space that wouldn't otherwise be used.

I would definitely recommend purchasing a Silver Cross cot bed. The Porterhouse is classic, of great quality and comes with a handy drawer (I will forever be raving about the drawer!) It's a bit pricey at £400, but I can see it lasting until our son is at least five years old (my first born is still in his cot bed - minus the bars of course - at 4.5 years). There is three cot base positions and the bars can be removed to grow with the baby/child.

UPDATE:

My baby is now five months old, how time has flown! The cot is still standing unscathed (besides one of the legs where DH smashed the Hoover into it - grr). The white hasn't discoloured and the drawers still work.

You can visit the Silver Cross website here: www.silvercrossbaby.com

Silver Cross Luxury Change Bag - overall rating 9/10

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) My changing bags take a lot of abuse. I fill them to the brim with ‘what if’ outfit changes, extra snacks, bibs, muslins - and then my own purse, keys, phone etc. It’s a wonder I’m ever able to lift them actually. I was delighted with the Silver Cross Luxury Tote which I was sent to review. It’s no secret that some aspects to having small children are distinctly unglamorous. So sometimes it helps to have a few good-looking accessories to remind yourself that it’s not all Disney and poo-talk.

It looks fantastic - very stylish compared to the other very mumsy bags out there. With the stylish design and leather trim it actually looks like a regular handbag - just a bit bigger. The bag is deep enough to take all my everyday essentials and still have room for my emergency stash of Haribo. And because the sides are quite sturdy I don’t need to worry about things getting squashed (had a rather messy banana incident once upon a time). There are also a good number of pockets and sections so you know exactly where to find things.

With the handy side straps I’m able to hang it off the handles of my buggy so I don’t have to lug it around across my shoulders. The fabric looks hard wearing too. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and it still looks brand new (did I mention my change bags take a lot of abuse?)

Included with the bag is good-sized change mat - so often those included with change bags are really dinky but this is padded and rather large. There is also a thermal bottle holder which I’m currently using for my toddler daughter’s water bottle but will be using for my son’s milk when he gets older.

A good change bag is a really great and useful gift to get a new mum - and something as practical and stylish as this one is sure to be much appreciated. Compared to what else is on the market, at £80 it’s a great price too for the quality. And you’ve got the Silver Cross brand as reassurance too.

Reflex pushchair, Silver Cross - overall rating 9/10

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) Choosing a pram/travel system is one of the most perplexing (and expensive) things you have to get your head around when having a baby, so I was delighted to have the decision made for me when Silver Cross asked me to review their new Reflex pushchair. I tried it out on both my newborn son and my 3 year old daughter.

In my experience big is not necessarily better. We went the full travel system option for our first baby and honestly did not need it. We used the carrycot for the first few months and then ended up buying a cheap and cheerful stroller and used that from around four months. I think the Silver Cross Reflex is an excellent option if you don’t have the space or indeed the budget for the big travel systems. And it means you have a stroller from day one that will last them until they’re old enough not to need it all anymore.

The Silver Cross brand is one of the best and the quality finishes in this pushchair is noticeable - as you’d expect for the £250 price tag. We chose the Chilli Red and absolutely love the look and feel of it. These for me were the winning points:

1) The huge hood. This is the best coverage I have ever seen in a pushchair. The hood opens up to give good standard coverage, and then, by accessing a concealed zip, you can extend it even further giving great protection from the sun (or wind).

2) Seat adjustment. The biggest bugbear I had with my previous stroller was the finicky way of adjusting the seat from reclining to sitting up. The Reflex, however, has a simple click and slide mechanism that takes a second and I can do one-handed. It’s also very smooth and has been really useful on the occasions my three-year-old daughter has fallen asleep in it and I’ve been able to adjust to a horizontal position without waking her up.

3) Extendable handles. I can’t quite understand why almost all buggies/travel systems have the option to extend handles but so few pushchairs do? So it was great to see that the Reflex has a very neat button on the handles which extends them for us taller folk. It’s not a huge extension mind you, but certainly good enough.

4) Gadgets. I love a good gadget and the LED integrated safety lights are my favourite feature and will really come into their own in the winter. These are on either side of the pushchair and you can set them to constant, flashing or rotating. You have to press them quite hard for four seconds before they activate so there’s no chance of my three-year-old wearing out the batteries unnecessarily or me knocking them by accident.

I didn’t find it easy to unfold the stroller because of the safety clips on both sides. Great for keeping it all together but not ideal if you’re trying to unfold it with one hand while holding a baby in the other.

At 8.5kgs it’s relatively heavy compared to other strollers on the market and not as easy to throw into the boot. But then, I wouldn’t be happy putting my newborn in any of those lightweight strollers so that’s the trade-off.

What’s impressed me most about this pushchair is how comfy it seems to be for not only my three-month-old-son but also my three-year-old daughter. A lot of care seems to have gone into making this as versatile as possible for all ages (there's a baby nest, it fits a car seat etc). You end up spending so much money on things for your baby that they grow out of in weeks that it’s nice to know at least one of your investments will last a good few years.

Organic mattress protector, The Little Green Sheep - overall rating 9/10

(From KatGransnet)

I've got a three year old, so a mattress protector is well needed!

I was skeptical at first, as I prefer sheets which tuck in at the sides, but this mattress protector didn't slide at all. DS likes to squirm about in his sleep, but he didn't manage to budge the mattress protector, which stayed nice and flat on the mattress. What's also good about it, is it's soft fabric - with no plastic in sight! It's very environmentally friendly and doesn't make an noise when DS rolls over.

As for absorption, it worked very well when DS wet himself in the night. It didn't soak through at all. I washed it straight away and it didn't take long to dry. One thing I'd say though - I washed it on 40 degrees and it came out slightly bobbly. The tag says to wash it at 60 degrees, but I do have an old washing machine so it might not happen to someone else.

Hearth Gate/ Playpen, Babydan - overall rating 9/10

(From Gally)

(2011) We bought this last Christmas (through Amazon) to protect the GCs who were at crawling stage, from the woodburner. In fact, we used it to protect the Christmas tree from them! It is in 5 sections, very heavy, has an 'entrance' gate which is quite difficult to manoeuvre, but we found it brilliant. Also good to pen in the dog from the GCs and our daughter has one to keep her babies away from the computer and all things electric. Would thoroughly recommend - they are very hard to acquire on ebay. so that speaks for itself. I think it costs about £70 new.

Diono Stow and Go - overall rating 9/10

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) Since having baby no 2 I've realised I need to be more organised. And with a trip to France planned for the summer, the car seemed a logical place to start. So I was delighted to review the Stow and Go, a brilliant storage organiser for the car. It simply hooks over the driver or passenger seat fastening securely around the head rest and bottom of the seat. There are seven pockets and even for trips up to Grandma we've used these to store my 2 year old daughter's snacks, her water bottle and a book and toy for the journey. It's a great way of keeping these things all in one place instead of rolling around the back seat. And as an added bonus, the back of the car seats are protected from scuff marks from little people's shoes.

Bubblebum booster seat - overall rating 9/10

(From CariGransnet)

(2014) I borrowed one from a friend a while back and loved it - it fits into a much smaller space than a regular booster seat which means it's possible to get three in the back of a car that would never fit three regular car or booster seats.

It's basically a lightweight car booster seat that inflates, so it's very light to carry (in a suitcase or handbag) or to store. It comes in its own carry bag and is comfortable and wipe clean.

When I first borrowed it I was concerned about safety but having looked into it reassured by the fact that it is made from very strong material (the same they use for life rafts!) with webbing and material to keep it rigid and it has clips to put the seatbelt through so it stays firmly in place. Most importantly, as their website confirms, BubbleBum meets and exceeds all US Federal Motor Vehicle Standards FMVSS213 and the European Regulations EU R44/o4

It's suitable for children aged 4 upwards weighing 15-36kg. Since getting one ourselves we have used it loads and would highly recommend.

Babybjorn Baby Carrier One - overall rating 9/10

(From Anon)

(2014) I’ve been using the Babybjorn Baby Carrier One for the past month and it has been a lifesaver! When the pram just won’t do, the baby carrier can easily soothe my baby to sleep. My six week old baby absolutely loves feeling close to me and the motion of being walked around - he’s not too keen when I’m standing still though!

The best thing is that I can continue my day handsfree. I’ve found it particularly handy during the school-run; I’m no longer trying to squeeze my pram through the narrow paths and bashing into other parents’ prams.

When I first received the baby carrier I wasn’t entirely convinced, given my previous baby carrier for my first child was such a faff to put on. This baby carrier however comes with simple instructions and has been really easy to slip over like a jumper. The clips take some getting use to, but they are meant to be straightforward (my husband gets it right on his first attempt anyway - maybe it’s just me!). The easy release straps make it easy to slot baby into the carrier, and also take baby out without waking him. The ergonomic waist belt and padded shoulder straps means the weight of my baby can be redistributed.

The carrier can be worn in various ways, with baby at the front facing towards your chest, facing outwards, on your back. I really like the label attached displaying the different positions, saves me digging out the manual when my baby is big enough to be carried on my back. The baby carrier is for newborn to three years - I’m not convinced I’ll want to carry my toddler on my back, but we’ll see!

Although it’s a bit pricey at £119.99, the Babybjorn Baby Carrier One is great quality, simple to use and definitely makes life a lot easier.

Baby dribble bib, Dribblebuster - overall rating 9/10

(From maryjane)

(2011) This is a very soft bib that looks like a scarf. It does not hide baby's outfit and looks so much nicer than a bib to catch dribble.

Aden + Anais classic changing mat cover - overall rating 9/10

(From Anon) Everybody knows a newborn baby will let out a cry when any item of clothing has been removed, especially if they’re lying on a cold plastic changing mat. That’s why a changing mat cover is so great - it minimises the ‘trauma’ for baby, and you!

In true aden + anais fashion, the changing mat cover comes in a range of stylish prints. I had the blue Night Sky Starburst print for my baby boy, but they also have pink prints for girls and neutral unisex colours.

The changing mat cover is made of two layers of cotton muslin, so it’s thick enough for the baby not to feel the cold plastic, while also thin enough to dry any minor wet patches (you’d probably want to wash the cover if you had any big wet patches!). I’ve washed it a few times now and it definitely has not lost its softness. The cover is 33” x 17” (84cm x 42cm) and fits snugly on standard changing mats, it also fits on our wedge changing mat.

At £19.50 the changing mat cover isn’t cheap, but if you’re looking for something classic and you want to treat yourself or a friend/family member, aden + anais definitely delivers on quality and style.

Milestone cards - overall rating 9/10

(From Anon)

(2014) I was given these Milestone cards recently, and I must say, they are fantastic quality and presented in a lovely box.

The illustrations are cute with neutral colours, so perfect to buy in advance or as a gift if you're looking for something unisex (definitely hard to find anything gender neutral these days!)

All the pictures from when DS was born are categorised in files labelled with his age by month on the harddrive (I am scarily organised), but admittedly this has taken a lot of effort to maintain. While I'll still do the same for my newborn, these cards will make it a lot easier to record milestones.

Each card has a different milestone (first time your baby eats solids, walks, crawls etc) with a bit in the corner for you to fill in the date. Then you simply lay the card down next to the baby and snap a picture - done! I can imagine you can be quite creative too, with the baby toddling towards you holding the card while you record a video etc.

The cards also display age milestones in weeks and months up until a year old. Great to watch your child grow in pictures through the months.

I would definitely recommend these cards as a gift, or if you're keen to keep records.

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) My son is already 7 weeks old and as I’m not intending to have any more children, savoring this time when he’s so little is particularly poignant. When my daughter was born we bought the baby book and filled in the first few sections - and then forgot about it. It required so much writing and we were so knackered. Or couldn’t find the book in amongst all the other baby paraphernalia.

You tell yourself you’ll remember the first smile, tooth etc but you don’t. That’s why I think these cards are so lovely. With beautiful illustrations the idea is that you simply write the date of the event on the card, hold it next to your baby and take a photo. And that’s that. Of course if you wanted to you could then print out the photo and stick it on the back of the card but it’s not necessary. Just last week I was going through the (literally!) thousands of photos of my daughter (only 2 ½) and trying to guess her age. Or realising this was the day she ate solids for the first time but not knowing exactly how old she was. WIth these cards the guesswork is taken out of the equation. They’re so pretty and boxed up so neatly, that they would make a lovely gift for new or prospective parents. Highly recommended.

Fisher Price 3-in-1 Swing 'n Rocker - overall rating 9/10

(From Anon)

For my first born, I swore by my Fisher Price bouncer to settle him to sleep up to seven months. Compared to other bouncers, the seat was deeper and the swing was simultaneously forceful yet gentle. When I was offered the Fisher Price 3-in-1 Swing ’n’ Rocker to review for my second baby, I jumped at the chance!

Setting up was effortless, as the swing came with very clear instructions. It really straightforward to assemble and slot the seat onto the swing frame, as it has easy release seat handles. Considering the swing frame itself being rather bulky, it’s lightweight, study and can be folded up for storage.

On the side of the swing frame, there are clear on/off button, and buttons for the songs, swing speeds and volume. There are six swing speeds, which gradually build up. I like that when it’s switched off, it gently continues to swing and gradually comes to a stop. If you push the swing without using the SmartSwing Technology, it rocks back and forth for some time before you having to give it a nudge again. There’s a great range of 16 songs that rotate and an option of more natural soothing sounds. For the functions to work, you need four D batteries. It’s worth investing in rechargeable batteries, as I imagine they would run out quickly with regular use of the swing function and the songs.

The seat itself has a five point harness, which is a bit big for my newborn, but the chair is designed to grow with your child up to three years. Luckily the seat cover appears to be quite easy to remove and is machine washable - I imagine I’ll end up washing it quite regularly! The toy bar has a lion and an elephant, and has a unisex design so suitable for boys and girls. The toy bar can be removed and there’s a bar that can be pulled open to stabilise the chair and turn into a toddler seat. My 4.5yo is definitely too big for this (he insisted on testing it!) but it’ll come in handy when my baby turns into a toddler.

This swing seat without a doubt lived up to my expectations of Fisher Price - the swing is great quality with a simple design, it’s sturdy and my newborn love the functions. The only thing I would improve would be having a vibrate function for the seat when it’s not on the swing - that would make it the ultimate chair!

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) I’m looking at my not so newborn baby and wondering where on earth the last 5 weeks went! Toys, clothes, Moses baskets - despite their huge expense, our little ones grow out of them all so quickly. So when I was asked to review the Three in One Swing from Fisher Price I was relieved to see it had a longer than usual shelf life. Not only is it a full size open top swing, but it’s also an infant seat and a toddler rocker. Apparently it will last from birth until your child is around 3 years old (or 18 kgs).

The seat features a really lively and beautifully designed print of lions, frogs and monkeys that will suit both boys and girls. The overhead bar has two plastic toys - a lion and an elephant - to keep your child entertained. All in all it’s a very attractive piece of equipment and although a bit of a faff to put together, if you can manage ikea, you’ll manage this.

The swing stand is rather large so bear that in mind if you are short of space. Still, it folds up neatly when you’re just using the seat bit.

My little one loves the swing. I think it's got something to do with it being off the ground. You know how babies will be happily soothed when you're pacing about the room but they sense it as soon as you sit down? I've popped him in the swing and managed to prepare an entire cottage pie before he wanted picking up again.

The swing has 6 speed settings but we're quite happy with the first one for now which has plenty of movement. There are 16 (mostly familiar) songs which play in rotation. Because there are so many you're unlikely to be driven mad by it as with some other toys. Also, the sound quality is good - not the tinny noise you sometimes get. And if you do want a break from the songs there is the option to listen to 'nature sounds' too - running water, birds tweeting, frogs croaking etc. I find these quite soothing but my son seems to prefer the music. And as with any good quality product there is the all important volume control! Bear in mind it needs four D size batteries which don’t come supplied with the product.

The infant seat is deep and cosy and looks incredibly comfortable - my baby seems to like being in this slightly raised position when he is awake instead of lying on his back on a playmat. His 2 year old sister like to rock him (gently) on the seat and educate him (loudly) on the noises various animals make. The rocking motion seems to soothe him and there’s a secure looking strap to make sure he’s not going to fall out of the seat when he is more mobile.

Adjusting the seat to make it into a toddler rocker is fairly straightforward and I can see this being a useful feature later on. All in all I think this is a great product and amazing value considering how long it lasts.

Snugglebundl - overall rating 9.5/10

(From Anon)

(2014) We received a Snugglebundl and thought we'd try it out on our baby niece before our baby is due in August. It's so soft (made from 100% cotton), but still tough fabric so there's no risk the baby would be too heavy.

The way the blanket is angled and the padded area for the head, keeps the baby secure in the center, with a handle either side so you can lift the baby with ease. We originally thought this could be done with a normal blanket, however it proved difficult as the baby wouldn't naturally stay in place.

We found it great for swaddling and just as a general blanket. Great for in the car and the pram, where she would naturally fall asleep and we could lift her without waking!

We've washed it a few times since and it comes out as good as new. I would definitely recommend this for a newborn baby and for older babies it's great as a general blanket.

Silver Cross Reflex Stroller - overall rating 9.5/10

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) Choosing a pram/travel system is one of the most perplexing (and expensive) things you have to get your head around when having a baby, so I was delighted to have the decision made for me when Silver Cross asked me to review their new Reflex pushchair. I tried it out on both my newborn son and my 3 year old daughter.

In my experience big is not necessarily better. We went the full travel system option for our first baby and honestly did not need it. We used the carrycot for the first few months and then ended up buying a cheap and cheerful stroller and used that from around 4 months. I think the Silver Cross Reflex is an excellent option if you don’t have the space or indeed the budget for the big travel systems. And it means you have a stroller from day one that will last them until they’re old enough not to need it all anymore.

The Silver Cross brand is one of the best and the quality finishes in this pushchair is noticeable - as you’d expect for the £250 price tag. We chose the Chilli Red and absolutely love the look and feel of it. These for me were the winning points:

1) The huge hood. This is the best coverage I have ever seen in a pushchair. The hood opens up to give good standard coverage, and then, by accessing a concealed zip, you can extend it even further giving great protection from the sun (or wind).

2) Seat adjustment. The biggest bugbear I had with my previous stroller was the finicky way of adjusting the seat from reclining to sitting up. The Relfex, however, has a simple click and slide mechanism that takes a second and I can do one-handed. It’s also very smooth and has been really useful on the occasions my 3 year old daughter had fallen asleep in it and I’ve been able to adjust to a horizontal position without waking her up.

3) Extendable handles. I can’t quite understand why almost all buggies/travel systems have the option to extend handles but so few pushchairs do? So it was great to see that the Reflex has a very neat button on the handles which extends them for us taller folk. It’s not a huge extension mind you, but certainly good enough.

3) Gadgets. I love a good gadget and the LED integrated safety lights are my favourite feature and will really come into their own in the winter. These are on either side of the pushchair and you can set them to constant, flashing or rotating. You have to press them quite hard for 4 seconds before they activate so there’s no chance of my 3 year old wearing out the batteries unnecessarily or me knocking them on by accident.

I didn’t it easy to unfold the stroller because of the safety clips on both sides. Great for keeping it all together but not ideal if you’re trying to unfold it with one hand while holding a baby in the other.

At 8.5kgs it’s relatively heavy compared to other strollers on the market and not as easy to throw into the boot. But then, I wouldn’t be happy putting my newborn in any of those lightweight strollers so that’s the trade-off.

What’s impressed me most about this pushchair is how comfy it seems to be for not only my 3 month old son but also my 3 year old daughter. A lot of care seems to have gone into making this as versatile as possible for all ages (there's a baby nest, it fits a car seat etc). You end up spending so much money on things for your baby that they grow out of in weeks that it’s nice to know at least one of your investments will last a good few years.

You can buy the Reflex from www.silvercrossbaby.com

(From Laineyd)

(2014) I was asked by silver cross to review their new Reflex pushchair. I have a 14 month old son, and we have been using the reflex for 2 months now. We are all really happy with it.

It's easy to push, manoeuvrable, my son is very comfortable and sleeps really well, it is also very easy to recline with one hand, I like that their are 4 definite positions and it clips in to place. My son particularly likes the bumper bar it gives him something to hold onto (or drape hie feet over) when were out and about, and me something to attach toys to. One of our favourite features is the hood, its fantastic we love how big it is, when you unzip the extension it really protects him from the sun, also a life saver to create a dark environment for a nap. The visibility is excellent too, with a flap covering a window in the main hood. There are also plenty of mesh panels in the hood extension for both ventilation and extra visibility.

The brakes feel secure, the wheels are nimble yet sturdy, the rain cover is easy to fit and has ventilation, the handles extend up (perfect for us as we are both tall) the basket underneath is comparable to other strollers this size and folding is very easy to do with just one hand. The size when folded is perfect to fit in the boot of our Ford Focus and leaves plenty of room for our weekly shop too.

It is not the cheapest on the market however you do not need to buy an additional foot muff as it comes included (it's been too warm for us to try it out so far but it looks plenty big enough to fit winter boots in and still keep them warm) so it could work out cheaper when looking at alternatives. We are also impressed with the lights on both sides of the frame, with the nights drawing in we are bound to get a lot of use out of them, it feels good to know that the lights and the reflective strips make it really visible in the dark.

The choice of colours available is great though I would recommend a dark colour, we have lime green and the seat liner (which is handwash only) has been washed down twice already. My son is in and out with dirty shoes, he also snacks on the go and the lime green is beginning to look very grubby.

One final down side is that my husband finds the clips on the straps very fiddly to hold together so they can clip in the buckle. However I haven't had a problem with them and I think they are really secure and feel confident my son won't escape, however much he would like to. They may just be easier for smaller fingers.

The stroller comes with car seat clips as standard, however we didn't use them as my son is out of baby car seat.

As far as we are concerned overall it is as good as the market leader, but with the added extras like the foot muff included and the enormous hood it edges out in front for us. We think it's perfect for us.

You can visit the Silver Cross website at www.silvercrossbaby.com.

Comfort Pro car seat, Kiddyoverall - overall rating 9.5/10

(From Twobabes) My daughter bought this when the first size seat was too small and is very pleased with it.

It is light and really easy to move from car to car, needing no special fixings, or to sling in the boot to make room for big people!

In the Which tests it is one of the all round highest scorers for both ease of use and, most importantly, for safety,

I find it much easier to use than the Isofix Britax one I have in my car - broken nails and much silent swearing!

(From haddersmum)

(2011) I was struggling to get my two year old DGD into her harness seat and not doing my back any favours in the process. The Kiddy was recommended to me and works on quite a different concept, being a standard older childs car seat with a cushion which goes across the front of the child and which you strap in with the normal seatbelt. She was not sure about it at first but now likes the fact that she can have toys or paper to draw on the cushion. It is not cheap at £120+ but can be used until the child is 12 and is saving me a fortune in osteopath charges.

The Comfort Pro is the one I have but has now been updated to other models. Kiddy is a German make but is available on the internet.

Skip Hop Moby bath products - overall rating 10/10

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) While I can’t say my knees have ever been my piece de resistance, it’s fair to say that since I’ve had a child, they’re looking a lot more worn and rough than before. This is mostly to do with bathtime. My 2 ½ year old likes me to be very involved with bath time play and while this inevitably results in wet clothes and rough knees, I’m usually more than happy to oblige. But with summer (and summer skirts) on the horizon, I was thrilled to be asked to review the Skip Hop Moby Bath Kneeler. It comes in a cute whale design (and as such I had to convince my little one that it was for me to use, and not for her to take into the bath with her) and is large and squishy with non-slip backing (so no sliding all over the bathroom floor). It also dries really quickly and there’s a handy holder for you to hang it up on hooks or rails so it’s out of the way if you’re tight on space. My poor knees are very grateful.

We were also sent a set of three Skip Hop Dunck stacking ducks which my daughter loved pouring water in and out of. Rinsing hair is always an ordeal for us so once I feel up to the challenge I might see if these do the trick. She’s quite enthralled by the bright colours so we’re in with a chance…

Very impressed with both sets of products - will keep an eye out to see what else they do.

As a note for people wanting to buy gifts for new grandchildren/friends' babies etc, something like this is ideal. We have so many lovely (but used once) clothes, blankets and fluffy toys (for which we are extremely grateful), but bath toys or useful goodies like this are ideal gifts for new parents.

Skip Hop Forma change bag - overall rating 10/10

(From LaraGransnet)

(2014) Is it too over the top to say this change bag has revolutionised my life? Where there was chaos, there is now organisation, where there used to be a number of bags and packets, there is now just one Skip Hop Forma bag fulfilling all purposes. I am smitten.

First, the outside package. It’s lightweight (you’re already carrying around a lot of stuff - no need for unnecessarily heavy fabrics weighing you down) and water resistant (no funny watermarks from being caught in the rain and easily wipeable from mucky handprints).

The bag has loads of zips and pockets and compartments so you can really organise all the gear you seem to have to carry around with you when you have little ones. Other change bags I’ve used have been really stingy with compartments and honestly this really does make all the difference when you’re one-handedly trying desperately to find the pack of wipes in a black hole of a change bag.

What I’ve found really useful are the two matching storage cubes that are included with the bag. The insulated one is great for storing my daughter’s lunch or snacks (and mine) and the second mesh one is perfectly big enough for storing a spare change of clothes for both my kids.

There’s even a slot for my purse, a little pocket for my phone - it takes me seconds to find anything.

A padded change mat is included too with it’s very own external pocket so it's easy to reach.

There are also handy straps so you can safely and easily slip the bag over the handlebars of your pushchair - very useful.

I am absolutely in love with this change bag. My previous bags have either been too small, lacking in enough separate compartments (no one wants nappies next to snacks) or too mumsy (just because you have kids does not mean you have to lose all sense of style).

I’m becoming a huge fan of Skip Hop - I recently reviewed their bath products too. Will keep on eye on their other products with interest.

Silver Cross Surf 2 Pram and Travel System - overall rating 10/10

(From redberry48)

I received the Silver Cross Surf2 Travel System to review, and wow – I feel like one very yummy mummy! The travel system is comprised of a pram chassis, car seat, a carry cot for newborns, and a seat for when your DC is old enough to sit up.

We had the Surf 2 Travel System delivered a couple of months before our baby was due, which was great because it allayed my fears of ‘not being ready on time’. The Silver Cross customer service was excellent. I totally fell in love with the gorgeous ‘Aubergine’ colour when we got it out of the box, and I was delighted by the prospect of our little one being all snuggled up in the carry cot. I love how stylish it looks as well - I love parading it around.

The Surf 2 comes with a carry cot designed for a newborn, and you can complete the Travel System set by adding in the Simplicity car seat. I must say that the carry cot has proved to be super useful, since our PFB is an Autumn baby and it’s perfect for keeping them nice and cosy and protected against the autumnal gusts of wind. I’d definitely get the carry cot again for future children.

You can adjust the height of the pram handle really easily (just by pressing on a button in the middle of the handle), which is really useful, and makes the whole experience more comfortable and less of a strain on your back. The materials are of a very high quality, which is noticeable in comparison to other prams. The Surf 2 looks really stylish, and I've had loads of compliments on it! The other thing I love about it, is how easy and smooth it is to push around. It doesn't feel heavy at all when out and about. The suspension is excellent, and it’s such a smooth ‘drive’ over pretty much any surface (including uneven pavements).

I was quite nervous about taking my PFB out for the first time, and found that the Surf 2 was so robust and reliable that it eased my anxiety. It’s a great pram for a nervous new mum in that respect!

The whole travel system is really easy to put together, and there are lots of useful YouTube videos showing you exactly how to go about putting it all together if you're feeling flustered in those early newborn days. The only thing I would say, is that it would be great if the basket could be a little bigger, but I can also see that that would compromise the sleek style of the rest of the pram. So I'm willing to compromise on having less storage for the shopping in favour of a neat sized pram. It’s super easy to put the pram down when using the Silver Cross Simplicity car seat - I literally lift the car seat out, pop it on the IsoFix in the car, and then collapse the body of the pram.

I completely love this pram. It's light, it has brilliant suspension, it's a smooth ride for my little one and above all, it feels very reliable and robust. It's a really high quality product. I'm delighted with it, and I'm already thinking about how great it'll be for future babies! Considering how high quality this product is, the price is a real bargain. I've received SO many compliments on it, and my new mum friends have all asked to 'have a go' on it!

Update: Now that my little one is able to sit up unaided I have swapped over the carrycot for the forward facing pushchair seat. First things first – it’s super easy to replace the carrycot for the pushchair seat – simply click it on to the chassis of the pram. I love that you can swivel the seat around, so that the lucky passenger (!) can either face you or face outwards. You can also very easily adjust the seat so that your little one can lie flat when sleeping. As with the carrycot, the pushchair seat is made of super high quality material and my little one is really comfy, safe and snug with the foot muff and 5 point harness combo. The rain cover fits on the pushchair seat very easily, which is useful since the English summer is on its way smile. I’m also really impressed with how comfortable and the car seat seems to be, since my little one still enjoys sitting in it, both in the car and on the chassis of the pram. Overall, I am so impressed with the Surf2 and I still get so many compliments with how sleek and stylish it looks – 6 months on! The carrycot was soft and safe – perfect for my newborn, and the pushchair seat is robust, and versatile, which is perfect for my 6 month old.

I’d definitely recommend this travel system. It’s such high quality, looks amazing, and is reassuringly robust and versatile.

For more info on the product, visit the Silver Cross website: www.silvercrossbaby.com/our-products/prams-and-pushchairs/surf-2/aubergine/

Lamaze Pond Motion Baby Gym - overall rating 10/10

(From redberry48)

(2014) I was given the Lamaze Pond Motion Gym to review. My DD has just turned 6 weeks, and I set up the playmat this morning in a bid to entertain her whilst I made a cup of tea (!). She was totally mesmerised with the moving animals and the mirror, in particular. The Lamaze Playmat is small enough to be tucked away in the corner of a room without making your whole house feel like it's full of baby paraphernalia, but yet there is no compromise on the quality of the product and the entertainment factor for your little one. I particularly like the fact that the arms that hover above the playmat move/rotate automatically, which in turn move the little animals that dangle from the loops, which is great fromm an entertainment perspective. It's super easy to put together, and brilliant value for money. There are two settings - each with a different 'song' that plays whilst the arms rotate. It's amazing to see my DD look up and coo and interact with the moving animals in the 'pond'. The base of the play gym is colourful and soft with different textures underneath the material which I can already see will be a delight for my DD once the crawling and turning over begins. The play gym is also great for a bit of tummy time. I'd really recommend this product.

iMonitor Digital Video Baby Monitor, Graco - overall rating 10/10

(From mother999)

(2012) Now this is a must for any new mum. The monitor has a very clear picture of your baby to the point that you can see them breathing. You can see your baby in colour during the day and in black and white at night when it reverts to night vision.

You can zoom in and out, set the time etc. Why is it so good? You do not rush into your baby's room every time they make a noise because you can see exactly what they are doing which is normally changing position. My daughter who is now 2 cried very little when she woke up because I would always pre-empt her waking up by the monitor. It really does give you peace of mind and reduces your little ones uneccessary crying because they are calling for their mummy.

We live in an area where both neighbours and their neighbours have babies. They are always saying how they get interference on their monitors. I have not experienced any interference at all. The range of the monitor is great and allows you to sip a Pimms in the garden during summer. A good looking, small and stylish item which fits into any home.

iCandy Peach 3 Pushchair - overall rating 10/10

(From Littlegreenrichmond)

(2014) Try it to believe it... its smooth running. Its robust, strong, smooth to drive. Feels unusually light. Clean attractive appearance. Was simple to remove from packaging when it arrived easy to put together and get started.

It glides on the pavement.

The little princess finds it comfy it seems she sits in it like she's on a throne! A princess is how she makes out to be ( not sure if that's just her personality or the way she feels when in the Peach 3).

She rode in it to the baby show last Friday and we tried it out on the bus, underground, overground and British rail all for the very first time. It was exceptionally easy to get on and of trains despite the large gap on the British rail at some stations I managed as the large wheels assist with this.

What's important to us all when we buy babies wheels is: how easy is it to fold and open? Easy if I can do it so can you check out the demo video. It fits in my A-class boot fine only have to remove one wheel that's easy too just the press of a button. The seat recline positions are great and the adjustable handles easy to adjust with a push of one button.

What would I change if anything? If only the seat lay flat I wouldn't need to buy a separate carry cot. This ones for you ICandy can you create the next version without the fixed angle so it lies completely flat? Also can you sell a set of all terrain wheels?

She sleeps well in it at 8 months even without the complete flat seat. It almost impossible to find a pushchair in this range on the market that does a lie flat position.

Forgot to mention, rain covers great - easy to put on too.

Gran gives it the thumbs up and that's all that matters in my family... Lol. One last note - the shopping basket is easily accessible and carries loads!

Dummy (0-2 months/0-6 months), Mam - overall rating 10/10

(From Sailingnana)

(2011) Mam dummies are brilliant, they stay in the babies' mouths and provide real comfort for the baby and sanity for parents/grandparents.

I am a nana of one and work as a maternity nurse and always recommend these dummies.