Count Down to Christmas!

We have decided to use our blog as a count down to Christmas throughout December.

Each day we will post something related to Christmas. It might be a product we want to shout about, an image we like, a recipe we think you should know about or a thought for the day.

We would love this to be a joint effort so if you have anything you would like us to include, please let us know, via email (cheryl@heybabyshop.co.uk), by commenting on this blog post or via Facebook http://www.facebook.com/heybabyshop

Christmas is such a magical time, especially when there are little ones around, let us know your family traditions, favourite products, best recipes, crafty ideas....anything that you think other families should know about to help make their Christmas more sparkly!

Thanks in advance......

Cheryl x

Rainy days?

Rainy Day Fun

In the South of England we have had so much rain this week that everyone is talking about it. Even by our English weather obsessed standards, there is a lot of talk of the weather!

I don't know many people who like the rain, but we would be pretty stuck without it. Of course when you have small children, constant rain can be a deal breaker. So, I have been thinking of some simple ways of having fun with your little ones despite the rain. 

Here are our top 5:

1) Make play dough: get out the rolling pin and biscuit cutters and go crazy...

2) Build a den: clear your kitchen table, drape a double flat sheet over the top and let their imaginations run wild. 

3) Invite friends round, let them do the travelling and get wet. Resign yourself to the explosion of toys and enjoy the chat and company!

4) Baking: find a simple biscuit recipe and let the kids do as much as they can, let them really get involved and enjoy the pride on their faces when they offer the fruits of their labour to everyone. 

5) Get wet: If all else fails, get your wellies and waterproofs on and go splash in the puddles!

Have fun!

Our favourite portable high chairs

Portable/Travel High Chair Solutions

I am sure I am not the first to point out to you that Christmas is on the way.  If you are looking forward to a busy and sociable Christmas and you have little ones that will be with you, you need to consider how they will join you at the table for mealtimes. Here are our top 3 travel high chair solutions!

1) The Gro Company Chair Harness RRP £12.99

A soft fabric device that allows you to create a pocket for your little one to sit in and be tied securely to pretty much any type of chair. We have used one of these and would not recommend it on folding chairs or chairs with an open back.
Pros: cheap, lightweight, great for long distance travel, washable, fits in your hand bag
Cons: very little support for young babies, they need to be sitting well unaided, does not raise your child to table level (not a booster).

2) Phil & Teds Lobster RRP £64.99

A fabric seat on a frame that clamps quickly and easily to most table tops to provide a seat at the table for your child. A lot of people think this looks precarious but when you see one in action it feels really solid.
Pros: Will fit on most tables, takes very little room and needs no chair.
Cons: Does not work on lightweight 'cafe style' tables or tables with a deep top.

3) Stokke HandySitt RRP £65.00

A wooden, folding chair that attaches to most adult chairs and provides a table height seat for your baby or toddler. Has a range of optional extra accessories including cushions and 'stand alone legs' which allow you to use the HandySitt at floor level as an independent chair (handy for feeding when there are no adult chairs available).
Pros: provides good support, a really solid chair that is comfortable enough for frequent and prolonged use.
Cons: a little on the bulky side for long haul travel.

We hope this helps of you are looking for a portable seat, let us know if you have any feedback!

Customer service?

How important is customer service to you?

If you are reading this you probably know that I own and run a small business. It is my belief that as a small business, one of the things we can do to encourage customers is to offer great, personal service. Buying something, whatever it is, should be a pleasurable experience, or at the very least straightforward and simple. As a customer you should feel valued and happy with your purchase.

I have recently had an experience with Marks and Spencer that really disappointed me. I will spare you the details (it is a very long story) but suffice to say that I will be using their services as little as possible in the future. 

It has left me wondering why big, multiple outlet retailers and services think they can get away with offering such appalling service. And how much people will put up with if they think they are getting a bargain? Or need/want something they can only buy in one place. At what point would you decide that you would rather give your money to a business that values your custom and listens to you if you have feedback? 

There are a lot of small businesses out there trying to make a go of things. If you have used one and have been pleased with their products/services, let them know. See if you can write a review for them to encourage other people to buy from them. If we all decided to support the good businesses (never mind the size or location) those that cannot be bothered commit to good service and products will not survive and the world would be a better place. Well, mine would anyway! 

Rant over thanks for listening, I feel better now!

When a baby carrier is best...

When a baby carrier is best....

We have not long been home from an evening firework display on the beach. It was very busy and the majority of the people there were family groups. Whilst watching some people struggle through crowds and on the beach with their tired toddlers and bulky buggies, it did make me think that there are some occasions where a baby carrier is definitely the way to go.

Here are my top 5:

• Airports: I don't know why but I always get a little freaked out by airports. Some instinct makes me want to keep my kids closer than I normally do. It could be the proximity to flights that could take them anywhere in the world, or the anonymity of the crowds. I just know that I feel happier if my baby/toddler is firmly secured to me! Plus, there is no issue about when the buggy is going to get checked, stowed etc.

• Evenings out with the family: you know those times when the whole family is invited but you are not sure how the youngest is going to cope and you don't want to be limited by their bedtime? Pop them in the carrier and party on! They can sleep, you can can decide when it is time to go home...

• Festivals: not everyone's cup of tea but if you want to go to a festival with your little one, a baby carrier is definitely the way to go. Avoid mud, no worries about where to leave the buggy when not in use and ditto all the points above about bedtime!

• Crowds: has it ever occurred to you how scary it must be to sit in a buggy and be surrounded by legs and shopping bags? In a baby carrier your little one can see what is going on and be reassured by you. Without a buggy you will move through the crowd much faster too!

• At home: busy day out. Loads to do when you get home but your little one just won't be put down? Put them in the baby carrier and carry on! My sanity as been saved by being able to get vital jobs done with one of my babies in a carrier, perfectly happy to watch or sleep. Everyone's a winner.

These are just my ideas but I would love to hear your ideas about when your baby carrier saved the day!