I am not a tourist!

Here's a great event for your diary .....

Don’t miss the “i am not a tourist” Madrid on Friday, 6 May. It’s all an expat needs to make the most of life in Spain & it’s free to join!

Whether you have lived here for 10 days or 10 years, make sure you keep Friday, 6 May free on your calendars for this once-a-year opportunity.

“i am not a tourist” 2011 will be an interactive extravaganza of experts and companies specialising in expatriate life, workshops, networking and entertainment. We’ve invited over 40 exhibitors to offer you a helping hand. Have a chat with a recruitment agent, get a word of advice on health insurance or banking, compare international schools and universities, join a group / club or just take the chance to mix with hundreds of like-minded internationals.

Get invaluable information about surviving abroad Attend seminars on landing that perfect job, banking, or setting up a business, and enjoy great entertainment and networking opportunities.

The programme includes a yoga workshop and wine tasting as well as on-stage performances and even a SpeedDate. And don't hesitate to bring your family along; we have set aside a whole room just for them! DKV Globality, Staysure and Clements International proudly sponsor the “i am not a tourist” Fair 2011 and will be there to answer all your questions regarding insurance.

Get your FREE tickets now at: http://www.iamnotatourist.es/.

Preparing for baby books ....

There have been some complications during my twin pregnancy and although I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed I still wonder whether the two of them will make it. So long as they are fighting away in there though I have to start to get a little bit prepared.

Luckily my acupuncturist has twins so she kindly lean't me some of her twin books! The first Double Trouble by Emma Mahony immediately grabbed my attention ( it started with a list of 10 great reasons to have twins! ) and I have just finished it so thought I'd post a little review.

Double Trouble is one of those great books that reads more like a novel than a guide book. Instead of long lists of do's and don'ts, detailed descriptions of what to do if you get various aches and complaints and what to expect at each months scan, Mahony's book is more a funny tale of her own experience of having twins and indeed being a twin herself. Much of the book is very humourous and frank and what it lacks in detail it makes up for in warmness and passion.
Mahony's chapters cover things like how to deal with nosy people who want to know if your twins are natural or ivf, the pro's and con's of various prams, hiring help after the birth, eating for 3, birth and breastfeeding and most importantly keeping your hubbie happy when you feel totally knackered!

The con's of the book are it's very London based and anyone who can't afford or doesn't want a personal maternity nurse might find it a bit offputting. Similarly Mahony is clearly an advocator of natural birth and pushes this option rather zealously which could alienate those mums to be who would prefer more intervention.
However the pro's are that it's warm, funny and her personal accounts of struggling with breastfeeding, sleep patterns and life after twins will give hope to pregnant mums in 'twin' shock everywhere!!

I'm not sure where you can buy Double Trouble in Spain but it is easily available on amazon, who are now offering free shipping to Spain ... so order away!!!

When I was pregnant with my daughter I read 'What to Expect While Expecting'. This is a long and very detailed book which basically tells you what to expect while expecting every month ... you can practically look up anything too and it will be covered in the book ... from discharge and dilation to painting your house while pregnant or looking after your pet.

The book is American, so expect some differences in medical care etc but 5 years on my issue of the book is still current and relevant and it's a good overall guide to pregnancy .... recommended!! I bought my copy in Bookworld Espana but again it can also be ordered via Amazon.

Just yesterday I was on a forum where the old baby guide book debate was raging as fiercly as ever!! It's amazing how animated mums can get when discussing Gina Ford V everyone else. My personal opinion is that what I read of Gina Ford ( The Contented Baby Book ) did seem very regimented and unnecessarily strict. When I had my daughter I went for an altogether more relaxed book called The Baby Book by Rachel Waddilove.

Rachel did advocate a four hourly feeding routine which is similar to Gina but she's much more relaxed about the rest of the time, the emphasis being on enjoying your baby while getting them into a good sleeping routine. Whereas Gina encourages mums to put their babies to sleep at the same time everyday in darkened rooms, Rachel's suggestion was that the baby slept all over the house in lightened rooms with the tv blaring, hoovering and daily household activity going on. This made more sense to me and mean't that my daughter quickly became used to sleeping in her pram, in the car, in shops, at other's houses etc ... this mean't we were not tied to the house at nap times and could be as flexible as we liked. And yes she slept through from about 3 months and was a very happy ( and contented ) baby.

I think you you should take advice from the books and then do what works for you. I never ever saw the point in waking my daughter at half 6 or 7 when she'd been up at 4 or 5 ( and so had I ! ) and so I never did. I let her sleep in the mornings till she woke up. This mean't she often woke at 10 and so happily did I! This didn't seem to interfere with her sleeping in the night even though the books said it was an absolute must to get your baby up by 7 and napping by 9. We missed all that!!!! I'm not saying this would work for everyone but it's an example of where I deviated from the books and found my own 'style'. But the books for me were a godsend when giving tips on feeding, weaning, bathing and even going out with a new baby.

Whatever book you choose you can be ensured the Baby Book debate will continue until your little one is preparing for their own children!

Malaga's Children's Hosptial improve facilities and care for mums and newborns!

At indybel we have long been champions of newer birthing methods and support these by selling birthing balls and slings etc .... Last year the Costa del Sol hospital became highly acclaimed in the area for their new birthing policies which included allowing mums to move around and choose their own birthing position and the insertion of a birthing pool at the hospital. It can only be a good thing therefore that other hospitals in the area are following their example. It was great to read the following article in the Euro Weekly News ( http://www.euroweeklynews.com/) this week which shows that things really are improving for mums to be in Spain .....

MALAGA Children’s Hospital aims to increase the bond between newborn babies and their parents by allowing access to the neonatal area at the time which best suits them.
This way, parents can take part in the care of their newborns which reduces stress. They will be provided with identification cards, which if they wish, they can give to other relatives at the weekend. It is believed that this increased contact will help development and increase confidence in the babies, while parents learn more about health, feeding, hygiene and safety, so they can continue to care for them once they take them home.
All parents and relatives will be supervised by medical personnel, who can ask them to leave if they consider it necessary.

The Children’s Hospital intends to improve other aspects of perinatal care, such as allowing women to give birth in a sitting position thanks to special chairs. They also plan to use massage balls and electric stimulators to alleviate back pains, as well as devices to make sure that the environment is as quiet as possible, covers for incubators, special sashes so mothers can keep their babies close to their chests, and other novelties.
The Junta de Andalucia Health Service also provides documents in which women can express how they wish to be attended during the birth of their babies, and if they have any special wishes or needs.
Some 6,638 children were born at Malaga Children’s Hospital last year, 8.7 per cent less than last year.

Indybel Interview on Expatica.com

There are several websites that we follow with interest as they provide invaluable information for those living in Spain ..... one of my favourites is http://www.expatica.com/ a huge website with information for expats living all over Europe and dedicated sections for each Country and each topic.



It's quite exciting therefore that this month Indybel are the subject of Expatica's new series of interviews featuring Expat entrepreneurs! You can read the full article by clicking here. Plus take a look at the many other interviews on the site too ... they are valuable info for those thinking of moving to Spain or who might have a question about living or working abroad!

The Best Mother's Day Gifts ...

My 3 year old made me a gorgeous card yesterday and a tissue paper flower arrangement in her art class. She also insisted on buying me flowers while we were out shopping the other day ... of course I had to pay for them, but the thought was there ... all her gifts were so sweet and special because she made and choose them herself .... and it seems it's not just me, according to a recent survey us mums don't want expensive gifts on Mother's day ... we just want hugs from those we love the most ....

"You may have bought an extravagant gift for your mother today, but all she really wants is a big cuddle.

According to a poll, nine in ten say a simple hug will make their Mother’s Day. Second favourite to keep her sweet is a card – with those home-made by young children being the best.

The survey of 2,000 people found that, overall, sons are more generous than daughters when it comes to gifts.

Men spend more on their mothers than they do on their lovers for Valentine’s Day.!!!

They are also twice as likely to take their mother out to lunch than women.

Flowers were the top gift to mothers, with 42 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women giving bouquets.

The average amount spent on presents was £14.85.

Glaswegians were the least extravagant, while Essex mothers were the most spoilt with an average of £22.35 spent on them.

Those polled by mystery shopping firm Retail Active named actress Joanna Lumley as Britain’s most ideal mother – other than their own.

Retail Active managing director Julian Chamberlain said the poll results were ‘heart-warming’, adding: ‘From the mums’ point of view, a demonstration of affection and family unity are the most important things.’"

From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Dry Nights .... Toilet training at night ...

Well at 3 years a bit, my little one has been potty trained during the day for nearly a year now and is a seasoned and expert toilet and potty user! We've continued to use nappies at night as quite frankly after going through daytime toilet training the last thing you feel like doing is the nighttime equivalent and anyway I reasoned that she wasn't ready yet as she still wakes up every morning with a full nappy ....

I'm a great believer in letting your toddler lead the way. I have friends who do everything by the baby book ... at xxx months your child must be doing this, that and a million other things and I've witnessed time and again harrassed parents trying to get their child to do what the book says as the time the book says it. Whilst I think these books work well as a guide for babies and young children, once your child hits toddler age and is vocal about their needs I think it's healthy to listen to what they want, when they want it too ....

We did this with formula. Rather than trying to wean my little girl off her beloved nightime bottle, I waited until she was ready and asked to try my 'big girl milk' instead ... the transision was instant and easy because it was what she and not I wanted ....

And so we decided to do the same with nighttime nappies, I decided that when she was ready she'd tell me and this weekend that time came! At only 3 I was quite surprised as I've read that often children are not really ready to stay dry all night until between 4 and 6, but we were prepared to give it a go ...

I must admit I was not expecting results. I thought I'd humour my little girl. Let her try without nappies and then when she wet the bed, explain that perhaps she was not ready yet. However she surprised me ... night one she got up twice and wee'd on the potty I left in her room and i had no need for the emergency sheet, pyjama bottoms and duvet cover I'd left ready for a quick middle of the night change!! Last night she didn't wee on the bed and didn't wee on the potty. Which just goes to show that when your child tells you they are ready, it really is so much easier than when you decide they are ready .... basically ... your child knows best!!!

We are only two nights in, and I know there will be wet beds, accidents and a bit of trauma along the way, but I'm immensly proud of my determined little one and will resolve to listen to her needs a lot more carefully in the future!!!

Beauty and the Bump

By Samantha Sintes, http://www.indybel.com/

Finding out you are pregnant brings with it many feelings … excitement, happiness, a sense of entering the unknown and …. panic that you have nothing to wear as your clothes get tighter and tighter and your buttons become more and more stubborn! Unfortunately your growing bundle of joy is more concerned about finding a comfy spot on your bladder than the demands it might be making on your wardrobe, purse and lifestyle. Yet for many women the struggle to look good during pregnancy begins as early as the second month and for those women who work during pregnancy it’s essential to continue to look and feel professional, glamorous and in control.

Pregnancy is all about growing and glowing, so why shouldn’t this be a time to shine? Gone are the days when women hid their bumps beneath baggy jumpers and tent dresses. Today maternity fashion is about being loud and proud of your bump and womanly curves and showing them off to the max. Yet the pregnancy wardrobe is a minefield. When and how do you start shopping for your bump? And surely you don’t need a whole new wardrobe for just nine months?

We are often asked if it’s really necessary to buy maternity clothing. Surely bigger sizes and stretchy tops will do the trick?

The answer is that they will in the short term but you won’t get the longevity that do you with maternity clothing which is specifically designed to flatter and accommodate a growing bump all the way through pregnancy. A pair of trousers two sizes too big might do the trick for a few months, but they won’t be comfy on your bump and won’t take into account your growing bottom, thighs and hips as well. Maternity trousers not only cater for expansion in all areas but are designed to disguise and flatter the additional weight gain while accentuating and showing off the beauty of your gorgeous growing bump. The end result is that you feel beautiful and confident while pregnant instead of awkward and uncomfortable.

The materials in maternity clothing are softer and more flexible than those used in normal clothes. They will not only get bigger with you and be comfortable right up until the day you give birth, but they will then get smaller with you in the post pregnancy months too. The truth is it takes nine months to put the weight on and it takes nine months to take it off again. So unless your name is Nicole Richie or Victoria Beckham you certainly won’t be strutting your post pregnancy bod in your pre pregnancy jeans two weeks after giving birth. The beauty of good quality maternity clothing is that it shrinks back down with you post birth and most maternity tops are also designed to accommodate breast feeding.

We firmly believe that whilst you don’t need to invest in an entirely new wardrobe a few maternity staples go a long way. Take the Bumpband for example, an ingenious invention that has revolutionised maternity wardrobes. The Bumpand is a piece of stretchy material that fits over your bump and the top of your trousers or skirt allowing you to wear your non maternity items for longer. So for example, if you can still get your beloved jeans over your hips but can’t do up the zip, you can use a Bumpband to cover the gap, giving the appearance of a layered top effect an no one would know the difference. Likewise you can wear your favourite tops for longer and not worry as they start to ride up your midriff!

Another essential is a great pair of comfy maternity leggings. These can be worn around the house, dressed up with boots or heels, worn with dresses or a denim skirt over the top or just with a long comfy jumper.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a good pair of maternity jeans. Again a well designed maternity jean will see you through your pregnancy and beyond and can be dressed up or down in a number of ways.

Finally no maternity wardrobe is complete without one flexible little dress. A nice dress can be worn for work and then dressed up for an evening out. Or dress it down with boots or over leggings for a comfy yet chic day look.

These essentials should form the basis of your maternity wardrobe. Then you can begin to mix and match and add other maternity or non maternity items as you choose. There are of course also a number of clever ways to complement (or disguise!) your bump depending on the look you are going for. A well placed scarf either draped over the bump or tied under it, an eye catching piece of costume jewellery, a pair of cute boots and even big hair or a hat will all even out your curves or accentuate them.

For the recent Indybel Maternity Fashion show we deliberately choose real pregnant women to model our maternity ranges. When they first tried the outfits on they were amazed by how soft, sensual and sexy they made them feel. And that’s the real secret of looking great during pregnancy. Maternity clothing is not just something you need to see you through 9 months of weight gain, it is actually designed to show off the natural beauty of your changing body shape, highlight the pregnancy glow and make you look as wonderful on the outside as you feel on the inside.

Indybel are the exclusive stockists for Seraphine Maternity clothing in Spain. As worn by Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba and Halle Berry during their pregnancies. Indybel also stock the JoJo Maman Bebe maternity range, Emma-Jane maternity lingerie and the Bumpband. For more information visit www.indybel.com

Indybel are offering all our blog readers a free pair of pregnancy lounge pants with any purchase they make from our site. To take advantage of this offer simply type the words I love the indybel blog in the customer notes box at the check out stating whether you’d prefer black or white and we’ll add the pants to your package!

Potty Training Part 2 ... An alternative guide!

Well for those of you who may have read Potty Training Part 1 ( posted at the beginning of May ) and were wondering how we were getting on ... I am proud to say that 3 weeks later I really think we have cracked it!

Yes there have been a few accidents along the way ( and they'll prob be a few more too ) ... the car seat needs a good clean! But bella has been out and about in knickers only for a good few weeks now and is happily depositing all her 'waste' in the potty! She's still in nappies at night but my philosophy is one thing at a time and I'm not quite ready to tackle nights just yet!

However overall it wasn't the 'complete and utter nightmare' that I was expecting it to be. I didn't follow the books, in fact I probably went against most of the more conventional advice and just made it up as I went along. I used instinct as a guide and it seemed to work! So for what it's worth, here's my alternative guide for potty training your little one in Spain!

Relax and don't stress!

I honestly believe that you need to relax and take your time with potty training. If you stress I think it rubs off on your little one and they get stressed, so it's really all about having patience. It is difficult not to get a little frustrated with your toddler when after 2 days of peeing in the potty they suddenly pee all over the car seat without uttering a word or tell you they don't want the potty and want a nappy, but I really believe the key is to smile serenly and take a deep breath and make it all out to be a fun game. I used the words 'grown up girl' a lot and told my daughter what a big girl she was becoming which she loved. I think it's really important not to get stressed if you have a few bad days and if you want to then go back to nappies for a day ...it's not the end of the world, your child won't take a backward step, and you can try again the next day.
I have a couple of friends who got very stressed by it all and refused to entertain the idea of going back to nappies here and there ... and I think it just makes life more difficult. Take it all at your own pace and it will happen naturally ....

Invest in the 'right' potty!

Sounds odd, but I think the choice of first potty is very important. It also seems that toddlers become quite attached to their first potty so it may even be worth buying 2 exactly the same, one to take out and one for home.

I bought Bella's first potty from Indybel ... it is a high backed one ( almost like a chair ) and I have to say she loves it. She will sit in it for ages and seems to find it really comfy. I also really like the BabyDan high backed potty ( pictured ) that we sell at Indybel because you can take the middle out and it's small and easy to despose of the waste and clean. Bella having watched me do this a hundred times, now loves doing it herself ... she takes the middle out, tips whatever she's done down the toilet, washes the bowl and pops it back in the potty ... all by herself!!! This potty is great for letting children help you as it's small and light enough for them to carry easily.

I bought a second low backed cheaper potty take out and about but she hated it and refused to use it. In the end I found a cheaper high backed potty and now keep this in the car. She chose the cheaper potty herself and also loves it. It might be worth taking your child to the shop and letting them choose their own potty ... this is all part of the excitiment and fun of potty training for them ...

Positioning of the potty!

Postitioning is really important. Your toddler needs to know where the potty is and get to it quickly. It's therefore important to chose a place where you can keep the potty for a while and it becomes the 'potty place'. Some people start with keeping the potty in the bathroom but for us this didn't work as Bella got bored at the beginning sitting on it and waiting for a wee wee ... now we have it in the lounge in front of the TV! Sounds daft but it works .... she either watches TV or reads while on the potty and there is no stress of me standing there waiting as I can be in the kitchen or other end of the lounge knowing that she's occupied and not stressing about doing her wee wee!

Buy lots of knickers!

At the beginning you really need a lot of knickers, although as a friend recently remarked to me, once they are trained you realise just how many you have! If you live on the Costa del Sol then take a trip to Dunnes where they sell packs of 6 knickers for just 3.50€ ... and their pretty cute too! Prenatal also do packs of 3 .....

Don't be afraid to put the nappy back on ...

Potty training while at home is one thing and can be relatively relaxed .... going out is a whole other ballgame!!

Most books etc tell you to just go for it and go out without a nappy or not go out at all, but I found both these options very stressful at the beginning. I didn't trust bella to tell me if she needed a wee, she wasn't great at using toilets and I didn't see how in a shopping center or in the park we'd be able to get to a toilet in time. So for the first couple of weeks I let her go nappy free at home and nursery and when we went out in the afternoons I put a nappy on her. I took it off as soon as we got home. NOTHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED!!!! She didn't regress ... if anything I could tell she was getting the whole idea as she'd say something like 'now I'll do my wee wee in the nappy' .... Again I think it was just important that Bella and I took it at our own pace and in our own way ... I didn't want to stress her out by getting stressed about toilets on our trips out, so we used nappies while out and about for a few weeks until I was confident she'd def tell me when she wanted to use the toilet.

This last week we've started going out without nappies and I'm much more relaxed because I know she's ready ... I'm sure there will still be accidents buy now I know that I have an out and about potty that she likes too, it's easier .... just don't forget to take lots of knickers with you when you go out!!

Ask the nursery for help!

If your child is at nursery then don't forget to ask them to help you. Being at nursery has been great for bella as there she can watch the other's go on the little toilets and copies them ... she has also learn't to pull her knickers up and down at nursery which she wasn't very good at, at home and really only had one or too accidents there before becoming potty perfect!

Don't feel bad if it doesn't work first time ...

There is no right or wrong age for potty training. We tried a few times over the past 6 months but I could see that bella wasn't ready, so we stopped, waited and then tried again. Let your toddler guide you, if they are not ready then don't force them.

Find a reward system that works for you ...

It's not obligatory, but finding a little reward for those first wee's and poo's makes potty training more fun for your toddler.

I used the 'My Potty Book' which we sell at Indybel. Firstly Bella loved the book anyway as it tells the story of a little girl and her teddy leaning to use the potty ... and shows things like big girl knickers etc which she found fun.

The book also comes with star stickers which you can give your toddler when they do their business! Bella loved these and loved collecting them. I was worried she may want a reward at nursery or when we were out and about and I'd forgotten the stickers, but it doesn't seem to bother her at all, she just accepts that she gets a reward at home and that's it. Now 3 weeks on she's not asking for the stars every time either, so I can see that it will be relatively easy to phase the rewards out over time ...

The problem with poo poo's ...

Myself and my friends seem to agree that while wee wee's are one thing, pooing is a whole different ball game. Most toddlers seem to grasp the concept of weeing on a potty fairly easily but waiting for pooing to sink in is a bit more stressful. Bella seemed almost to wait till the nightime nappy went on to do her poo for the first few weeks, while another friends little one stopped pooing altogether and got very stressed, and another one just did poo after poo in his pants! I think it's a matter of patience ... try to encourage your little one to do their poo in the potty and eventually they will ... then it's lots of praise and pressies!! It will sink in but I think you have to relax and almost treat it like stage 2 and let it happen as it happens .... and it will ....

Good Luck ... and when you get stressed, just calculate all the things you can buy with the money you'll save on not buying nappies !

http://www.indybel.com/ sell the Babydan high backed potty in several colours ... toilet trainer seats, steps and the My Potty Book for Girls and My Potty Book for Boys ... for more information about buying these products in Spain please visit the Mums Essentials and Bookshop sections of http://www.indybel.com/

Keeping your baby safe in the Spanish Sun ...

The long hot summer is one of the many reasons we all love living in Spain, yet it’s important to protect babies and toddlers from the harmful rays while still enjoying getting out and about and having fun on the beach and at the pool.

To make the most of this summer in Spain, follow our tips for a safe sunny summer!

Babies, Toddlers and the Sun in Spain … The Facts!

Well the good news is that summer does mean we can spend more time outside and research does suggest that babies and toddlers who spend lots of time outdoors each day are happier and sleep more soundly! However exposure to the Sun’s Ultraviolet rays, also know as UV rays causes the skin to burn and dry out and can lead to skin cancer. In fact Cancer Research in the UK recently stated that sunburn during childhood can double the risk of skin cancer melanoma’s in later life.

It’s no surprise that young skin is far more delicate and therefore vulnerable to the sun than adult skin. A baby’s skin is actually only a 5th as thick as an adults skin meaning children therefore burn a lot more quickly than an adult when exposed to the sun. Children with far or red hair, pale eyes and freckles are at most risk but all children should be completely protected from the sun when outside, with babies being kept in the shade as much as possible. A baby’s skin is so sensitive that it can only take 10 -15 minutes of exposure to the sun for a baby to burn.

Sadly twice as many adults get skin cancer now than 20 years ago, so protecting your baby or toddler is of huge importance. Enjoying the summer is about balance … let your baby or toddler enjoy their time outside but ENSURE they are protected. Don’t forget however that babies under six months are less able to regulate their body temperatures and so will probably prefer to be in the shade or indoors during the hottest parts of the day to ensure they don’t overheat. Once babies are on the able to crawl and on the move however they are in danger of burning and must be constantly protected from the strong UV rays. Babies heads are most at danger and should always be covered with a hat or sunshade. Don’t forget too that babies need plenty of fluids in the hot summer sun.

Whatever the age of your child, experts recommend keeping babies and toddlers out of the midday sun altogether and indoors or in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Don’t forget the sun can still damage your child’s skin even if it is cloudy! Babies in particular with their thin and delicate skin burn easily on a cloudy day because it’s not just the visible sunny heat that does the damage, but the invisible UV light.


Protecting Your Baby and Toddler From the Sun in Spain...

· Choose a sun cream that’s specifically for babies or small children, these will be a high factor and anti allergy. Don’t forget sun creams do GO OFF so last years probably won’t be any good. Don’t forget to reapply sun cream throughout the day even if waterproof. If your child resists a lotion, then buy a spray as toddlers often find these more fun! Experts recommend applying cream approx 30 mins before first going out in the sun.

· Invest in some proper baby/toddler sunglasses … these might seem a bit of a gimmick but if they are proper UV glasses they will protect your child’s eyes from the glare of the sun and UV rays. Toy sunglasses can do more harm than good. Indybel stock the Baby Banz range of protective UV baby sunglasses in Spain. Click here to find out more ....

· UV tents are a great invention, not just for the beach but for back gardens too. Encourage your children to use the tent as a play area or use for babies to shelter on the beach. UV tents are particularly good as the sun is more intense near areas where there is water, or surfaces such as white walls or cement. If you spend a lot of time near one of these ‘suntraps’ a tent is a great way to ensure your child has somewhere to go that is totally protected. UV tents are a good investment for families who live in hot climates. Indybel now stock the JoJo Maman Bebe family sized UV pop up tent in Spain. Click here to find out more ....

· If you don’t have a tent ensure your outside space has lots of extra shade by fixing canopies from trees and umbrellas.

· Keep your baby and child covered … invest in loose, cool, cotton long sleeve clothing for running around or for your baby to wear when sitting in a hot buggy. For toddlers the UV protective swim ranges are a good investment and loose T Shirts are a must for running around. Don’t forget wet clothing looses up to half it’s UV protectiveness so change your child into dry clothing after their swim.

· Make sure your car has sun shades on the window as it is actually possible to get sun burnt through glass and try to cool the car down before putting your children inside.

· Babies can get heat rashes, burn’t and become uncomfortable in their pushchairs in the hot summer months. Minimise clothing and ensure you have a good sunshade which provides total protection to both the top of the head and the rest of their bodies from all directions. Small parasol type sunshades and hoods are not good enough to provide total protection. Indybel stock the Shade-a-babe sunshade which offers complete and total UV protection for babies in pushchairs and total piece of mind for parents in Spain. Click here to find out more ...

· Find and invest in a sunhat that your child likes and will wear. Encourage your child to wear a hat with a wide brim or front and back. The wider the protection over the forehead, eyes, ears and neck area the better! Baseball caps are better than nothing but do leave some areas exposed. Small babies with less hair are very vulnerable to head burn and must always wear a hat. Indybel stock the UV protective Baby banz sunhat range in sizes for both baby and toddler in Spain. Click here to find out more ....

www.indybel.com are dedicated to helping you protect your baby and toddler from the sun this summer. We now stock a range of UV protective products including sunglasses, wide brimmed sunhats, UV tents and the Shade-a-babe. To find out more about our products simply visit our site.

Choosing a nursery in Spain

As september looms many mums are confronted with the dilemma of whether or not to send their child to nursery and then having made that momentous decision, you are faced with another ....how to choose the right nursery for you and your child ....

Choosing a nursery for you little one is a very personal and often difficult decision. For many this is the first time they will be separated from their child on a daily basis and sometimes the child is little more than a baby! Bella started nursery at 22 months last September. Nearly a year on I can honestly say that nursery has been nothing but positive for both of us and I am incrediably happy with both my decision and the nursery we choose. I think that even if I had not been working I would have sent Bella to nursery as she has so much fun and has developed so much from her time there and in some ways not having her around in the mornings makes our afternoons together more special!!

I decided to send Bella to nursery as our business http://www.indybel.com/ was launching and myself and my business partner were incrediably busy. We needed some time to concerntrate on work before we went mad and my robust and challenging toddler was ready for some stimulation as she was becoming increasingly fed up with mummy tapping away on the laptop!

I did quite a lot of reseach into the nurseries in my area. I decided that I wanted a bilingual setting as I wanted Bella to learn Spanish at nursery. However her command of English was also good at home that I wanted her to be able to make herself understood and to understand the teachers, so a bilingual nursery was definitly right for us.
I discounted a few nurseries on distance from our home and one because there were a long list of rules the children had to follow on it's website which I felt was a bit much for a 1 year old who really just wanted to have fun. In the end I made an appointment to visit Costa Kinder Care in Benalmadena which was perfect as I'd heard positive things about it and it was only a ten minute drive from our home.

On our first visit to Costa Kinder Care I was impressed by the facilites which included bright and sunny classrooms, a lovely outdoor play area full of toys and slides and a friendly and family orientated atmosphere. I was also impressed that the nursery provided balanced meals for the children which were based on health authority guidelines and that they invited health and safety inspectors to make random checks. I was told that there was a high staff to child ratio in each classroom, that children were encouraged to learn a second language and that learning was fun based with an emphasis on developing the child's social skills, encouraging their independence, helping them to form friendships and increase their confidence. I was so impressed with the nursery after this first visit that I signed Bella up for September without hesitation. I decided to start with just mornings which would be from 9am - 1pm and see how we went.

I was pleased too, when I paid an improtu visit to the nursery to pay my deposit, to see that all the children there looked really happy and were hugging the staff etc and all the staff seemed to know all the children ... little things like that are really important.

When September came it was time to start nursery. I won't lie and say the first two weeks were easy as they weren't! My little girl was not happy to be parted from mummy and spent most of the first week in tears. But the staff were great. They suggested I stay with her on the first day, sit in reception on the second and then leave her when we both felt ready. They suggested staggering how long she spent at nursery the first week to get her used to it and not taking her to the dinning room for lunch as she was just getting used to the classroom and so they didn't want to disorientate her. It's hard to leave your child in tears but I knew the staff would look after her and so I stuck with it! Just when I was starting to despair half way through week 2 she suddenly settled down and her teachers told me she had joined in some of the activities and made some friends. By week 3 she was really starting to enjoy herself and by the end of the first month she had properly settled and was having a great time. It's lovely when you go to pick your child up and see her dancing round the classroom and holding hands with her new little friends! The teachers had become a big hit too and at weekends Bella was quite put out by not being able to see them!

Bella models her Easter Bonnet at the nursery's annual Easter parade!

I also knew she was happy because she was eating really well. I'd signed Bella up for lunch ( which is optional ) and her little daily report book informed me that she was eating the full 3 courses most days ( more than she does at home! ) More than that she was learning a few table manners too! I'm sure she's a lot better behaved when eating at nursery than when she eats out with us!

The little daily report book also informed me if she'd done anything particularly unusual and of her daily bowel movements! ( very important info for us mums! ) It was so cute too to start receiving little pictures and models that she'd made when she came home.

I definitly think Bella's development has come on in leaps and bounds since starting nursery. The monthly themes are set out for parents to see and her age group explore things like colours, shapes and numbers. I have noticed she understands certain Spanish words and phrases and most of all is much better at sharing and playing with other children now. It's so sweet to hear her talk about her little friends and to tell me what activities she has done during the morning.

I am more than happy for Bella to stay at Costa Kinder Care next year. Although we had the option of moving her to a Spanish school ( which we will do want to do at primary level ) we decided that as she is so happy it would be a shame to move her. She is very comfortable with her teachers and friends and this was proved when she moved up a class at Easter and settled down again very quickly. When she moves to infant level her activities will be slightly more educational and she will also be spending a week communicating in just English and then a week in just Spanish which I hope will really encourage her use of the second language and prepare her for Spanish school.

I believe you can tell a lot about a nursery if you visit during dropping off and picking up times. At Bella's nursery the children are literally racing to their classrooms when you drop them off and you rarely see tears. At pick up times the relaxed parents and happy tired children says it all! I find it incrediable that when I follow Bella around the school, staff I've never seen before know her name and she greets them all and is brimming with confidence.

Having had such a positive nursery experience in Spain I'd urge all parents in the area to consider Costa Kinder Care, and have no hesitation in recommending this happy, family orientated and fun nursery ...

To find out more about Costa Kinder Care simply visit their website or call 952 448 007

Costa Kinder Care is fully licensed with the British and Spanish authorities and Ofsted inspected. Accredited by the Junta de Andalucia.

Swaddling

As in the UK, swaddling is suddenly popular and fashionable again here in Spain with more and more midwives, hospitals and mums realising and recommending the benefits of swaddling. But what exactly is Swaddling and how do first time mums learn to swaddle?

What is Swaddling?

Swaddling has been used for thousands of years to help newborns adjust to life outside the womb. The idea is basically to ‘swaddle’ or wrap your baby so that they feel warm, secure and comfortable when sleeping. Many midwives throughout the world are fans of swaddling and often teach new mums to swaddle in the hospital.

The popularity of swaddling has risen again in recent years due to research that has suggested swaddling aids more peaceful sleep in babies as swaddling recreates the secure environment felt in the womb and prevents babies waking themselves with reflex movements.

Studies have also suggested that swaddling can help to enhance development in low birth weight babies, reduce the risk of cot death, sooth over stimulated babies and also help to reduce symptoms of colic by applying gentle pressure to their abdominal area.

Swaddling - A mums experience of Swaddling

One of my good friends who now runs the website http://www.kidsinmarbella.com/ swaddled her son until he was 5 months old. Here she shares her experience of swaddling ...

"I hadn't really thought of swaddling before. My son was wrapped up tight by the hospital staff after he was born, but I thought nothing of it, but looking back it made sense considering where he had been for the last 9 months!

I started the swaddling in earnest when I was running out of ideas and family members magic rocking knees, to try and stop my son crying with what we think was a touch of colic.

I read somewhere that swaddling babies with colic can help, so it was well worth a try. It comforts them, reminding them of the safety of the womb, all wrapped up, warm and safe and this definately helps to calm them down

I swaddled my son till he was 5 months which is slightly longer than recommended but he loved it, in fact he couldn't sleep without it and it guaranteed me some time off.

I would definately recommend trying it to anyone whos baby has colic or has problems sleeping, there is something primative about swaddling, that gave both me and my son a feeling of comfort."

How to Swaddle?

You can swaddle with a normal sheet or blanket, but many new mums find 'ready made' swaddling blankets or robes easier to use as they are designed to 'swaddle' your baby in just a few easy movements ... particularly handy if your baby is resisting, overtired or irritable.

At http://www.indybel.com/ we now stock the JoJo Maman Bebe organic swaddling robe.( pictured above )

The JoJo Maman Bebe swaddling robe is pre-folded and easy to use with Velcro™ fastening. It helps babies feel snug and secure.

Suitable from birth.

100% Organic Cotton.

Useful Swaddling Tips

Always ensure your baby’s swaddling is not too tight by checking you can slip your fingers down the top of the sheet.

Additional sheets and blankets are not normally required on top of swaddling, unless in very cold temperatures. You may however want to adjust the clothing your baby is wearing beneath the swaddling robe to the time of year.

If your baby resists swaddling you can try swaddling from the chest down so the baby's hands and arms are free to move around.

Potty Training ... Part 1!

My daughter is now 2 and a half so it seems about time that she start to master the potty and I can stop forking out huge amounts of money on nappies. ( Yes, I would have used cloth but our company didn't exist when she was born! )

So where to start with potty training? My business partner 'trained' her daughter at 18 months, as with another one on the way she needed to do it as soon as possible. While this is quite early there are def advantages to at least trying to potty train when younger. Cost is one of course, but also toddlers are less aware of their bodily functions and less embarresed about going to the toilet at a younger age and are also more likely to do as they are told! Potty training a head strong 2 and a half year old suddenly seems a rather difficult feat, especially as this particular toddler seems to have suddenly formed a new love affair with her nappy and is reluctant to let me take it off.

But the time has come and the weather is perfect for letting little one's run around semi naked and so this week I have begun to take her nappy off in the afternoons ( at morning she's at nursery ) and encourage her to use her potty.

The first afternoon was a bit of a non event. She sat for hours on the potty with her new potty book which she loved, but no wee wee ... not a dribble! This made me think that maybe she can control her bladder and is waiting for the nappy to go on before doing anything ...oppps seriously the wrong psychology and another reason why earlier may be better!

The next day though we had a result ... two wee wee's in the potty and a bit on the patio. She was rewarded with wee wee sweeties ...
Later that evening though she did a wee wee all over mummy's lap ... okay not so good ... I realised that in the excitment of achieving a wee wee on the potty I had forgotton to keep asking her if she needed to use the potty and so had got what I deserved!

The next day I introduced the concept of knickers, hoping that this exciting new garment of 'big girl' clothing would encourage her to use the potty. For ages nothing happened even though I had taken on the persona of a parrot squarking 'would you like to do wee wee poo poo on the potty ...tell mummy if you want to sit on the potty' ... every 5 minutes ... then of course when I was in another room she said 'potty' and promptly did a wee wee all over the floor! Oh and there was another one on my lap again that evening ... ( I'm doing a lot of washing these days! )

Okay ...I am now appreciating that this is not going to be so easy. I am going to to try a different method which involves sitting her on the potty every half an hour or so instead of asking her, and we'll see if we get better luck! In the meantime any tips much appreciated!

Indybel sell the Babybjorn Potty above in a variety of colours and potty book

to find our more visit http://www.indybel.com/

ARTICLE - Top Five Pregnancy and Baby Buys ....

Having a baby in Spain can be quite daunting, in fact having a baby in any country where the language is not your own can be quite a scary proposition. I have many friends in the UK who found the whole process of pregnancy and birth confusing enough in their own country, so I take my hat off to all us girls who have been through a pregnancy and birth here in Spain. That's not to say that the information on offer is not good, nor the health care often excellent and the hospitals are certainly moving forward in terms of offering more progressive birthing techniques and options. But still doing everything in a second or unknown language in a country where customs are different to those you've grown up around is more difficult.

Knowing what to buy and not buy is also difficult and so Indybel have come up with our 'must have' baby and pregnancy wish list ... We're not talking cots and prams as of course we all need these things, but have concerntrated on the smaller and more unusual buys ...

Pregnancy and Baby Must Have's in Spain

1. The Cuddledry Towel.

Okay I didn't have one of these with my baby and now I wish I had know about them. The cuddledry is not only bigger, softer and more durable than your normal baby towel, but you can wear it too. This means that you have both hands free to bath your baby and can then snuggly wrap your baby up and lay your baby down without them getting cold .... fantastic !

2. Raspberry Leaf Tea

We heard a lot about raspberry leaf tea when thinking about stocking it and the midwife we work with down here is a big fan of it's ability to really help and move along a labour. Niether Lesley nor I drank the tea with our first babies and both had long and difficult labours. With her second baby Lesley drank the tea and had a four hour labour! We recently bumped into one of our tea customers who has just had her first baby, not only was the baby early but she also had an incrediably quick and easy labour ... enough said!

3. Natalia Baby Bottom Cream

There are a lot of baby bottom creams on the market but it's worth investing in a really good one as babies skin is so delicate, it's important to find something really gentle. The Natalia cream is all these things, not only that but Lesley has found that since using it on Olivia, not only has Olivia never suffered from so much as a little red patch, one jar ( using it generously ) lasted a good four months. So good value all round!


4. Seraphine Maternity Jeans

You can get away with a lot when it comes to maternity clothing, buying big cheap T Shirts, and large sized lycra for example! But it's a good idea to have one great staple item which will take you from 0 - 9 months and then back again! The Seraphine Jeans are this item! The fab bootleg cut and low waist means they are one of the most attractive looking ( if not the most! ) maternity jeans on the market. They are also made with a very comfy ultra soft denim designed to stretch with you and the waist is also ultra comfy. Lesley tried them on in the heat of August at 8 months pregnant and was amazed how light and comfy they felt, so if you want to invest in one item ... invest in these!

5. Kari Me Sling

This great award winning sling can be used in a variety of ways and actually works well into the toddler years. It is also designed to help you bond with and breastfeed your baby. Slings are becoming more and more popular amongst new mums, but particularly amongst those who are also rushing around after chaotic toddlers !

To find out more about buying for your pregnancy or baby in Spain, please visit http://www.indybel.com/

ARTICLE - Me Time!

At www.indybel.com we offer a range of spa pampering days for pregnant ladies and tired and stressed out mums! In the interest of our customers we thought it only fair to test out the treatments ourselves ... here's what happened when I went for day of 'me time'!

Mummy Pampering at the Thermae Spa, Villa Padierna in Marbella

So, here I was at the Spa ready for a day of ‘me time not mummy time’ pampering treatments and how did I feel? Well pretty exhausted actually. Having endured a week of sleepless nights while my 18 month old dealt with the onset of some rather nasty teeth, I’d offloaded her onto the grandparents and quite frankly the only thing I felt like doing was crawling back under the covers. This wasn’t helped by the fact that the bags under my eyes were pretty close in size to the bags of towels and toiletries I had bought with me, and when you arrive in such elegant and beautiful surroundings as the Villa Padierna you want to look, quite frankly, equally as elegant and beautiful!

Still the calm, beauty and effortless luxury of the spa had an immediate effect on my mood and tiredness and within minutes of arriving I began to feel much more relaxed and for the first time in at least a week, human again! According to their literature, the Thermae Spa promises it’s ‘exotic, opulent and dramatic surroundings will take you away from the stresses of daily life and lead you to a place of relaxation and calm’ … just what every tired and stressed mum needs!

On arrival we were ushered into the changing room where we found gowns, slippers and disposable knickers (this reminded me of labour!) waiting for us. As we emerged from the changing room we were greeted by the therapists who were to be in charge of our treatments and taken to our separate treatment rooms. As you’d expect from a Spa of this calibre the treatment rooms were a haven of peace and tranquillity, emitting amazing soothing smells and most importantly lovely and warm!

I started off with a body exfoliation. This involved having ESPA salts rubbed into my body. As soon as the treatment started I instantly relaxed. The spa policy is that the therapists are not encouraged to chat to you unless you insist upon it, so there was none of that tiring need to make pointless chit chat and I was able to lie back and really relax. After about 5 minutes I was thinking, hmmm I could really get used to this, this is really nice.

Everything about the treatments is luxurious. When the time came to wash the salts off my body (far too soon for my liking!) the therapist made a little aisle out of towels for me to walk the three steps from the bed to the power shower. I was given more towels and new knickers and told to make the most of the lovely toiletries and my therapist would be back in ten minutes to continue.

When she returned it was time for my facial. This was pure heaven. I had towels tucked under my knees which were amazingly comfortable and settled back to surrender my tired and spotty face. I lost count but there were several creams massaged on to my face over the course of the next 30 minutes and each was wiped off with a lovely warm towel. In between I was given an eye and head massage, absolute bliss for any tired mum. I lay there in a state of exhaustion but thoroughly enjoying every single second and mentally calculating how much time we had left and how much money I had with me so that I could think about continuing these amazing treatments for the rest of the day! I should also say at this point that for the next few days my make up less face was glowing.

Following my wonderful facial I was led to the relaxation room to well … relax. The relaxation room is a vision of white, white beds, white walls, white curtains .. and fruit. Here’s a tip, don’t eat too much fruit, I did and regretted it later! As well as fruit there was a lovely refreshing lemon drink to help you re-hydrate.

My treatments were now finished and I have to say I was feeling 100 times better and more glamorous than when I arrived. The afternoon was now to be dedicated to the pool and spa experiences …. the saunas and steam rooms, each one a treat in itself and each a masterpiece in interior design. The brochure promises that these ‘purifying steam rooms redolent of India and Bali transport you to where another world awaits you’ so I was interested to see where I would end up! I wasn’t disappointed, throughout the spa no corner has been spared in terms of beauty, sophistication and design. Every area and room has its own special ambience and much thought has clearly been given to lighting and smell and colour, all designed to relax and enchant. The steam rooms were filled with such ingredients as lemon grass, curry, mint and eucalyptus and ranged in temperature. The pool had amazing hydro jets and for the really brave and adventurous there is even a cold pool. ( freezing cold )

Having explored every room we smothered our hair in expensive conditioner and headed back to the relaxation room where we were served tea ( herbal of course ) and chatted ( quietly ) about our wonderful and thoroughly relaxing day.

So, did I feel that the ‘stresses and pressures of daily life’ had temporarily vanished, leaving me in a place of ‘relaxation and calm serenity’ … absolutely! And would I recommend the spa to other tired and stressed mums … in a second! Oh and if you can convince the grandparents to keep your baby for the night and get your husband to take you out to dinner after your spa day then even better!

To book a Pre or Post Pregnancy Pampering Spa day for yourself, a friend or loved one CLICK HERE.

ARTICLE Natural Nappies in Spain ....

Imse Vimse Natural Nappies
(also known as real nappies, washable nappies, reusable nappies )
Sold in Spain at http://www.indybel.com/


From the beginning Lesley was passionate about selling natural nappies at Indybel.
Personally I could take or leave natural nappies. Call them what you like, reusable nappies, natural nappies, recyclable nappies, washable nappies, real nappies ... it all sounded like a lot of uneccesary work to me, and I had vague memories of seeing 1970's mothers on TV washing a lot of nappies in buckets and hanging them out to dry!

Once we started to research the natural nappies avaliable on today's market though, I have to say that I have had my eyes well and truely opened! These nappies aren't hard work, they are hygenic, easy to wash and compact. They don't come with dangerous pin's and waterproof sacks, they are comfy and cosy and all in one and usually fasten with buttons or velcro. They are washed in their own little net and look fab. So it seem's I am a natural nappy convert and yes when I do have another baby in Spain I will be using natural or washable or reusable nappies!
We reaserched a lot of brands and eventually decided on Imse Vimse which are a really great and comfortable nappy. We are selling these in Spain with flushable wipes and biodegradable liners.

And I have to say that it's not just about how they look or feel for your baby. Using washable nappies can save you a lot of money. Yes there is an inital outlay and it's pretty big, but bear in mind you won't be buying packets of disposables every week ... so if you tot up what you might spend on disposables over a 2 or 3 year period, you will be rather suprised to find that natural nappies are a much more viable and economic alternative. Plus of course you will be helping to reduce your familes carbon footprint.

But I'm not the expert, so here's a great article Lesley wrote about natural nappies for our site, http://www.indybel.com/

Real Nappies

Why!

Generally babies need nappies for the first two and a half years of their life therefore, the average baby uses 4.16 nappies per day or 3,796 nappies per baby for two and a half years. This equates to 8 million nappies each day in the UK alone being disposed of in landfill sites! As you can see the scale of the nappy problem is a huge one as environmentalists estimate that it takes between 200-500 years for a disposable nappy to decompose. The toxicity from the mix of chemicals used in producing disposable nappies is a hazard with harmful consequences both to humans and the environment.
Many parents these days are considering using real nappies often alongside disposables. Both have benefits and often a combination of the two makes for a happier mother, baby and planet. Remember the days of safety pins are long gone!

How to choose which nappy system is best for you

Flat nappies are rectangular pieces of cotton folded different ways for either a boy or a girl. Generally this is the traditional style nappy and less common.

Shaped Nappies are ready prefolded and often come in one size from birth to potty and can be adjusted to accommodate the babies size and weight. Normally fastened with Velcro or poppers and can be kept in place with an outer wrap.

All-In-Ones are shaped nappies with a waterproof outer wrap already attatched, you only need insert a throwaway liner. The lifespan of this type of nappy is shorter as you have to wash the whole thing and they do take longer to dry.

Wraps-terries, shaped nappies and prefolds are made from absorbent cotton but they all need a waterproof layer. They come in a variety of organic cotton, regular cotton, bamboo and are waterproof and breathable. It is possible to buy less wraps than nappies as they only need to be washed once soiled.

Do I need anything else?

Liners take liquid away from the baby’s skin but hold onto solids and are worn next to the baby’s skin inside the nappy. Liners come in many varieties including bio- degradable and can be flushed down the toilet. You can also buy reusables which you can wash with the nappies but first you need to flush the solid waste down the toilet.
A bucket with a lid is a useful buy for storing the used nappies. We suggest you place a laundry bag inside this as this can be transferred to the washing machine with the nappies inside.

Of course washing powder is required as is a sanitizer as this reduces the need for boil washing or soaking. A few drops of essential oil of tee tree helps to prevent any odours.

How many do I need?

This depends on how often you want to wash but generally a minimum of 12 nappies and three wraps is recommended if you are combining with disposables although up to 20 is best if only using real. Perhaps in the early days it may be worth having a couple of extra wraps.

Are They Convenient?

Real nappies are a lot easier to use than you think. The internet is a great place for any further information if you are at all uncertain of the benefits of using reusables. Realistically, often when out and about it’s not always easy to carry around used nappies. Perhaps it’s worth checking if your little one is in nursery if the centre is happy to use real nappies in which case it may be worth considering a combination of the two both disposables and reusables. At the end of the day it really is whatever works best for you with reusables greatly reducing landfill rubbish therefore saving you money and saving the planet!

The Real v Diposables Debate

There are some further ways to reduce the environmental impact of using increased water and electricity by using reusable nappies. These include:
Using an A rated (energy efficient) washing machine
Washing at a lower temperature
Air drying instead of tumble drying
Use an ecological detergent
Use organic products, produce in a more beneficial way to the environment
Reuse nappies with another baby, or swap/sell them