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!

Fisher Price Recall Toys Worldwide

I just heard on the radio that toy giant Fisher Price have issued a worldwide recall for more than 10 million of their products due to manufacturing flaws which have resulted to injury in at least 7 children.

This is very scary. As parents we spend most of our time 'keeping an eye' on our children whilst they are playing. Playtime should be fun but quite frankly it's anything but fun for anyone other than the child.

If your child is playing outside possible hazards range from falling, tripping, banging heads, being knocked over, being sunburnt, catching cold, being bitten by an insect ... and so on. I used to work in TV where we were never allowed to do anything without a risk assessment. If as parents we had to do a risk assessment for our local parks or even going to the supermarket we would never allow our children to leave the house.
Inside play is not much safer. Inside hazards include falling over, falling down stairs, falling up stairs, falling into stairs, kitchen hazards ( too many to list! ) table corners, doors and windows, slippery floors and finally toys.

Now toys should be safe. We spend a lot of money on toys and as part of the deal we expect that our toys have undergone the safety standards expected. We also expect that the age specified on the box is correct. Sadly this is not the case. Whilst most toy manufacturers do a great job in insuring their toys are as safe as can be, they ( and we ) cannot discount the genius of children and their desire to explore. And so toys go in mouths, in ears and in eyes. They are pulled apart, dissected and tasted. As a parent you have to keep a constant eye on your child when they are playing with their toys and you have to accept that however safe a toy may appear, in your childs hands you just cannot take any chances. We do however have to put a level of trust in the manufactures that assumes that basic accidents should not happen.

According to recent news articles, the Fisher Price products recalled 'span furniture to infant and children’s toys and hazards include choking and scarily, “genital bleeding.” A list of recalled items includes:
About 7 million Fisher Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles
About 950,000 Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs
About 100,000 Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway
About 2.8 million Baby Playzone Crawl & Cruise Playground, Baby Playzone Crawl & Slide Arcade, Baby Gymnastics Play Wall, Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquarium (C3068 and H8094), 1-2-3 Tetherball, Bat & Score Goal.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission was aware of 46 incidents where pieces of some of the recalled toys came loose, and in three of those incidents, a child had started to choke on the toy’s parts.'

The recall began earlier this week in the US and Canada, but according to the radio report today has now spread to Europe and Spain.

Baby and Pregnancy product sales at indybel.com

This July we have some great products in our summer sales ....

The Flexibath is Product of the Month and reduced from 39€ to 33€ .... PLUS a free gift!!!

We know summer in Spain is an expensive time for parents so we've also reduced our ....

Imse Vimse Washable Swim nappies, JoJo Maman Bebe UV sun protection tent, cuddlemoo toddler towels, Babybanz Sunhats and Seraphine Maternity denim skirt ....

Plus in our sales section we still have our great Birthing ball and Inch Blue speical offers on plus our Natalia baby massage oil, Skip Hop changing bags and limited edition Trunki's are all REDUCED ....

To check out all these great offers while stocks last visit www.indybel.com for pregnancy and baby in Spain ....

Baby Show comes to Torremolinos ....

Whether you are an expectant, new or seasoned parent in Spain here's a great date for your diary!!

The Salon Bebe y Nuevas Familias show is coming to the Palacio de Congresos Y Exposiciones in Torremolinos this May.

The three day event ( 21st - 23rd May ) will feature a large number of exhibitors, shops and baby experts as well as housing an extensive toddler play and entertainment area, baby feeding area, baby changing area and pregnancy area. There will also be yummy on site catering and the first ever Baby Olympics to hit Spain .... we'll post more about the Baby Olympics later but let's just say it's an event not to be missed and a chance for parents to compete for some amazing prizes!

The event promises to be informative and a lot of fun too ... To find out more or to download a discount voucher for entry check out

http://www.salonbebe.es/

Indybel will have a stand at the Salon Bebe show and look forward to seeing you there .....

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/

March Movers and Shakers ....

This month we have lots of brand new products at http://www.indybel.com/ .... you can find out all about them in more detail on our main site, but for those who want a sneak peak, here is our top ten of brand new must have baby and maternity product movers and shakers .... some are new to Spain and some just to Indybel, but either way it's all happening this month!

In at number 10 it's the ........ Flexibath .... cool, stylish, sleek and foldable ... this is the ultimate baby bath for the twenty first century!



At number 9 we have the Theraline Pillow .... comfy, safe and helps protect your babies head ....

At number 8 the beautiful, stylish and affordable Tarok Cot from BabyDan.....

Looking to send a memorable and totally gorgeous gift to a much loved family member who is expecting a baby in Spain? Look no further than number 7 ... the Sofie Crib

At number 6, another stylish nursery addition ... the sleek Scandinavia Cot by BabyDan

The latest BabyBjorn carrier is known as the Comfort Carrier because the emphasis is on comfort for both baby and parent. With the weight carried on the hip, this clever new design carrier ensures no back pains on long walks .... we love it at number 5!

The perfect gift or just treat yourself, with number 4, our new giftwrapped organic Hug Me bodysuits for newborns ... so cute!

At number 3 is the fanatastic new playpen from the king of playpen makers ... BabyDan. The Felix playpen can be used on two levels so it can be a downstairs cot or playpen meaning it is perfect for use from birth to 3 or 4 .... We love it, love it, love it !!!

Want to combine stylish eating with easy to fold and compact ... then you need the BabyBjorn Appeitite chair ... it's also strapless with the specially moulded seat and security table designed to keep even the most mischevious of little one's in place ... our number 2 ....

Finally, our March number 1 new product of the month is the .... BuggyPod! The stylish and clever solution for coverting a babies pram to add a cosy space for a toddler. Far more economical and weather proof than just a step!

The Future is the .... FlexiBath

Baby baths are traditionally rather cumbersome ... when my daughter was born we invested in one of those drawer units with a bath in the top ... well ... never again!

What a strange invention. Ok, so here you are recovering from a birth ( or caesarian in my case ) and you have to heave bucket loads of water into your childs bedroom, lift them to chest height to tip them into the bath. Then bath the baby ... then attempt to drain the bath through a rubbish tube which constantly gets stuck, then end up heaving the bath and water from the unit and carrying it into the bathroom to drain .... of course in the end we just took the bath out of the unit and had it in the bath ... we may as well have bought a plastic tub!

There are of course several plastic bath tubs that fit in and on your own bath on the market but they are difficult to store which is why parents sometimes opt for the unit option as we did. Most bathrooms don't have room for an extra bath and you don't want it sitting on the floor as it's not the most hygienic place in the house ... so baby baths are a bit of an issue ...

UNTIL NOW

The lastest baby bath on the market, and really it's such a simple and clever idea we can't believe it hasn't been done before ...... is the FlexiBath!

The Flexibath does as it's name suggests ... it's flexible, it folds up .... so you can bath your baby and then once dry, fold up and store the bath meaning it's nice and clean and tidy and ready for the next bath. Not only that but inbetween babies you can keep it safe and clean rather than with conventional baby baths which just end up in the bin as you get fed up of them sitting around in your home getting dirty and so end up forking out again when baby number two comes along.

So score 1 to the FlexiBath for compact hygienic storage qualities ....

But, that's not where the genius of the FlexiBath ends .... it's just full of lovely little features to make life easier, like oh let's see ...

* It's non slip ... simple but yet effective!

* It's got it's own temperature indicator, so stressed out parents can see if the water is too hot or too cold ...

* Thoughtfully the makers have done a lot of research and so this bath is BPA and PVC free ... in other words it's safe ... there will be no nasty little chemicals leaking from this bath onto your little one's skin ....

* And it's big, but not too big ... big enough for a child of 3 or 4 though, so in other words you can use it for years longer than most baby baths, you can bath 2 children together in it and it's still perfect for newborns too ...

* It travels well ... the fold up mechanism means the FlexiBath can go on holiday with you, on camping or caravaning trips, it can go for nights at the grandparents with little fuss meaning you don't have to buy double the stuff and it will just slide neatly into your car boot ...

Is it any wonder that already the FlexiBath is the winner of 3 awards including the 2008 Kund Jugen Innovation Award and has been called the 'must have' product of this year by the parenting media and on TV?

I'll certainly be recommending it from now on!

http://www.indybel.com/ now sell the FlexiBath in Spain. To find out more click where can I buy a FlexiBath in Spain?

Choosing the perfect baby name ...

Some people know their babies future name from the moment their little bean is fertilized while others are still dithering on the way to the labour ward and even on the first car journey home. Some claim that once they see their baby they will definitly know what name suits while others prefer to bestow a family favourite or let their partners decide.

Personally I love more unusual names but even I'm not as wacky as some of our favourite celebrites who seem to take great delight in choosing the most bizarre and sometimes odd names for their offspring. Here is the 2009 Ten Best Celebrity Baby Names List ... curtosy of babynamesgarden.com ... if you're having trouble choosing the perfect name for your baby then just check out the list below or babynamesgarden for some more classic suggestions!

· 1. Sparrow James Midnight

There is always at least one celebrity baby name each year that people love to hate, and this year, Sparrow James Midnight was the one. Actress and singer Nicole Richie, and husband Joel Madden came up with this wildly unique name for their son, born in September. It's a worthy follow up to the name of their first child, daughter Harlow Winter Kate.

· 2. Petal Blossom Rainbow

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools are no strangers to exotic baby names. With two daughters named Poppy Honey and Daisy Boo, what could they possibly come up with to keep the tradition going? Petal Blossom Rainbow, that's what. Little Petal was born in April, and confirms the Olivers as trendsetters in the world of celebrity baby names.

· 3. Mars Merkaba

Singer Erykah Badu caused quite a stir when rumors were rampant that her daughter, born in Brooklyn in February, was going to be named Twitty Milk. Some bloggers called it too early. It wasn't Twitty Milk. Badu, and longtime boyfriend Jay Electronica, named their daughter Mars Merkaba. But they did Tweet about it.

· 4. Mason Dash

It's a dashing name. It sounds like a name right out of the 1920s -- unique, memorable, and just a hint of rogueish -- but in a cool way. Reality T.V. star Kourtney Kardashian, and boyfriend Scott Disick came up with this one for their son born in December.

· 5. Atlas

Who shrugged? Certainly not Anne Heche, when she and boyfriend James Tupper had to come up with a baby name to hold its own with the name of Heche's first child, Homer. Heche and Tupper rose to the occasion. What better name to match the ancient Greek poet Homer than the ancient mythological figure Atlas? Heche's second son, Atlas, was born in March. (But not on the Ides of March, luckily).

· 6. Bandit Lee

Celebrity rocker babies often end up with some of the wildest baby names, and Bandit Lee, daughter of Lyn-Z and Gerard Way is a case in point. Bandit Lee is the daughter of two bands, Mindless Self Indulgence and My Chemical Romance.

· 7. Gunner

Speaking of badass rocker celebrity baby names, how about Gunner? This little guy, who arrived in August, would probably get along just fine with Bandit Lee. Gunner is the second son for Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and his wife Tana. Flowers said they wanted something that held up against the surname Flowers!

· 8. Louisanna Ray

This is one of those clever trick names -- at first you think it's "Louisiana", but then you do a second take, and realize it's spelled differently. Maybe it's a combination name, Louis plus Anna? Is it a boy or a girl? It's a girl's name, of course. The first child for actress Leelee Sobieski, and her fiance, fashion designer Adam Kimmel. Louisanna arrived in December.

· 9. Seraphina Rose Elizabeth

OK, so this isn't one of those wild and crazy celebrity names we all love (or hate, as the case may be). But it's such a beautiful, classic set of names, we couldn't resist adding it to the list. And it didn't hurt that mom and dad are Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Seraphina was born in January, and judging by reader responses, most of you loved the name.

· 10. Bardot Vita

Last, but certainly not least, in this year's round of the best celebrity baby names, is Bardot Vita, an exotic and unusual name with echoes of Brigitte Bardot. This little Bardot was born in August, and is the second child and first daughter for Bones star David Boreanaz and his wife, actress and former model Jaime Bergman.

This month everyone's loving the ....

... Dream Genii Pregnancy Pillow ...

Well, we don't know if midwives are suddenly recommending it, or there's been some sort of article or advert in the press, but suddenly customers throughout Spain can't get enough of the Dream Genii Pregnancy Pillow ... in fact we've sold out, but don't worry new stock has just arrived ... so order yours now to avoid disappointment ....

Take Anywhere Chair - Special Offer

We still have our great special offer on our take anywhere portable high chair ... perfect for eating out or at someone else's house .... here's how you can get one for nothing!

Having a baby in Spain ... a cultural perspective

I think I've heard and read everything there is to read on having a baby in Spain over the past few years ... I can tell you the pro's and con's of the different hosptial systems, wax lyrical about the differences in attitude to breast feeding, mother and baby groups and after birth care and these days talk quite knowledgeably too about baby products in Spain, schooling in Spain and family life.
So I was interested to come across an article in today's expat section of the Daily Telegraph which focuses on yet another cultural difference between pregnancy and baby rearing in the UK and Spain, but yet is little commented on and discussed. It's a great article and very thought provoking ... so here it is! Read, enjoy and feel free to comment ...

Being pregnant is a fag in Spain

Is it our writer being hysterical? Or are the locals selfish?

By Michaela Rossi

When my husband and I first arrived in Madrid, we enjoyed every aspect of the Spanish capital's hectic nocturnal lifestyle. Everything was so exciting and new, life seemed so simple and great.

Eating out soon turned into a habit; we enjoyed the tapas bars, our local and the more central cervecerias. We drank coffees in bars during afternoon strolls in the parks. Whenever there was a language hiccup or a misunderstanding, we would simply shrug our shoulders and put it down to cultural differences.

Until I became pregnant.

As my stomach grew, so did my anger and frustration.

Smokers were making my life a misery. Whereas before I would go out and barely pay any attention to the clouds of smoke polluting Madrid's bars and restaurants, suddenly it became a real problem.

Then I realised there were a few restaurants with completely separate areas for smokers and non-smokers. But the sense of relief that there was an easy solution, and that I could still enjoy a meal out, did not last long.

After a phone call to one restaurant to see if the non-smoking part was completely separate from the smokers' area, we headed out. Not long after we sat down and much to my surprise a table of five not too far from us all lit up cigarettes.

I drew this to the attention of the waiter, while pointing at my pregnant belly to explain why this was such an important matter. I expected an apology, but the waiter simply replied: "They are over the other side, pero no pasa nada."

This is one of the most common phrases that you come across in Spain and, for me, it has also become the most irritating one. It literally means "but nothing will happen", although it is used in the same way that "it's not a problem" is in English.

When it's about smoking, to me it's more as if to say: "So what?"

In my pregnant state I could not bring myself to follow the expat option of "if you can't beat them, join them".

I soon realised that fighting the system was not a good option either. I tried arguing my point many times: with a bus driver who lit up a cigarette while driving; I fought shop assistants secretly smoking in the lavatories; even a police officer going for a puff in the staff lavatory while I was obtaining my Spanish residencia at the police station.

I stormed off to see our portero (desk porter) when I got into the lift in our building one day and it reeked of smoke. But when I reached his desk he had a cigarette hanging out of the side of his mouth. I didn't even give him a chance to say no pasa nada and just walked off.

I even argued with a taxi driver who lit up without asking.

After my confrontations, they all came back with the same answer, saying "no pasa nada" as they stubbed out. However, the most astonishing behaviour of all had to be that of the other pregnant mothers.

I would see them openly going out for a cigarette during our antenatal classes. Since having my son, I have heard mothers forbidding their children from befriending or trying to pat my dog as we strolled in the park in case he injured them. Yet, pushing a pram with a lit cigarette inches away from their children seems to hold no fear for them.

The Vicky Pollard character figure in the BBC's Little Britain is one of the best to describe how smoking when pregnant, or as a mother, is viewed in the UK.

In Spain, although the health education campaign is very similar to that in Britain, the public seems to be more relaxed about it.

Feeling powerless, as if the whole world was against me, I used to complain to my husband, who would tell me that I was lucky not to get pregnant before 2006. Up until then, smoking was allowed everywhere.

"No smoking" signs do not mean much to the general population in Spain - and nor do many other signs. Rules are made to be broken, it seems.

However, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel: a law banning smoking is currently being discussed. If it becomes legislation, smoking will be prohibited in public places in Spain from next month.

Who knows? After 10 months of not being able to go out as a family, we might finally take our son out with us for a meal.

However, until the ban is in place in all public buildings in Spain, I remain the totally unrelaxed foreign mother.

Christmas Fayre, San Roque

Christmas is def in the air and for us parents in Spain it's a busy time with present buying, food buying and taking the kids to see Father Christmas! Children are notoriously difficult shoppers so Christmas Fayres which offer a mix of shopping and children's entertainment are a blessing for parents and a great day out!

This year Indybel will be taking part in the Christmas Fayre at San Roque. We'll be taking a great selection of our most popular maternity, baby and toddler must haves and gifts, so please do come and visit us ..... we'll have lots of Christmas Special offers on our stand too ....

Here's a little more information about the Fayre from the organisers ....

Xmas Fayre

San Roque International School

28th Nov 12-4
For the first time we will open our doors for a day of festival fun. It will provide an opportunity for the whole family to come own an enjoy so many different activities.

We have over 50 vendors participating from ladies fashion, jewellery, photography, books, toys, kids clothing and accessories to name a few.

Not only do we have big brands participating we are also dedicated to inspiring chilldren so we will be running creative workshops a bouncy castle plus a visit from Father Xmas himself with presents and photos.

Entrance is free, so why not come down for a browse around the stalls and have something to eat and drink.

Mother, Baby and Toddler Show ... lots of fun!

Thanks to everyone who came along to meet us and of course buy from us at the Mother, Baby and Toddler show in Estepona on 9th , 10th of October ...

We had a great fun, and it was particularly nice ( being an online business ) to finally meet some of our customers, particularly those of you who came especially to meet us!

Here are a few pics of our stand which looked lovely ... thanks to hubbies for all the lifting, carrying and putting together ...

The most popular products on the day were

1. The Indybel Portable Take Anywhere Highchair, which was flying off the stand literally! As a special offer on the site we are now giving a FREE chair to all customers who spend over 75€!!! Can't say fairer than that!!

2. The babydan playden, a product close to my own heart and which I adore, so I was glad to see others loving it too ... we think this is one of those products that you fall in love with when you see it, but online sales are good too ... I can't rate this playpen enough, it's roomy and comfortable, stylish and safe ... and it also converts to a stairgate, fireguard or room divider ... what more could you want? Well, nothing if the sales at the show are anything to go by!! We had the playpen on special offer during the show, and as it was so popular have currently reduced it on the site for a limited period too ... so buy yours now!!!

3. All our lovely Natalia organic mother and baby skincare products were very popular over the weekend. We've only got a limited supply left now and so as a special gift our customers have taken up to 50% off ALL our Natalia products ... check it out now ... while stocks last!!!!

You can see and buy all of the above on our site http://www.indybel.com/

Finally a massive thank you to all the models who took part in the Indybel Maternity Fashion show and made it such a huge success ... they were all fantasically beautiful, confident, professional and amazingly energetic for girls in the later stages of pregnancy! Our maternity wear as modelled by the girls was also a big hit at the show with the Seraphine Tessa dress being the most popular item and it's easy to see why ... this gorgeous little black dress is sooooo comfortable and looks fab dressed up for a Christmas party or dressed down over leggings, jeans or with boots and a cardy ... we've only a couple left in stock so grab yours now before they've all gone!!

Indybel News for October

This month we are delighted to announce the arrival of several fab new products ...

JoJo Maman Bebe Sleeping bags in 2 sizes and 2 togs ... safe, snug and sweet ...

Bebe au Lait ... the orginal breastfeeding covers from LA ... with pop out necks so you can see you little one while they feed

BabyPotz ... BPA free weaning pots in 5 different sizes and with 50 in a pack

Trunkie ... stress free travel with our limited edition tiger and ladybird trunkies, so cute and toddlers love them too!

Plus, all our autumn / winter Seraphine and JoJo Maman Bebe maternity wear is now in, key peices include gorgeous little black dresses and swishy cardigans!

All the above can be seen on our site www.indybel.com or come and visit us on our stand at the Mother, Baby and Toddler show next weekend where we will also be running a really exciting competition whereby everyone who buys something over the weekend will be entered into a prize draw. The lucky winner will be drawn at the end of our fashion show on the catwalk and will receive a bag of Indybel goodies curtosy of our generous suppliers including Baby Kangaroo and Cuddledry!

Look forward to seeing you there and don't forget to catch our maternity fashion show on the main stage at either 12.30 or 4pm

XXX

Baby Alive could eat you out of house and home!

It's incredible how much the price of one product can vary from shop to shop .... for example this week I have been looking for a 'Baby Alive' for my daughters third birthday. In the toy section of the Cortes Ingles she cost 97€ .... yes I know, nearly 100€ for a dolly that eats and poo's ... yet just two floors down in the Hipercor Baby Alive was happily posing on a shelf for a much improved 72€ ... does the higher floor mean you must pay more, like in a swanky hotel? Anyway 70 odd euros was still far to much for a doll so we left it. Then a few days later in the Poly toyshop in the Miramar in Fuengirola I came across Baby Alive for much more purse friendly 52€ .... what an incredible difference from Baby Alive number 1!!! I still haven't checked out Toys r Us but am confident that the price can only improve.

In the meantime my daughter tells me she now wants Tiny Tears ...

Time to start thinking togs!

Last night for the first time in weeks I put socks on my toddler when she went to bed and covered her with a sheet ... my husband wanted to get the duvet out but I don't think winters here quite yet!! The evenings have got noticably cooler though ... a welcome relief after months of sweating at night ... and little one's do feel the changes, so it's important to monitor the temperature in their bedrooms and adjust their sleeping outfits accordingly.

All this reminded me that our indybel delivery of new JoJo Maman Bebe sleeping bags should be here any day now! Like everything else, baby sleeping bags are not always easy to find in Spain. We are really excited about our latest products ... these gorgeous sleeping bags come in three different designs and two different togs ( 1.5 for warmer temperatures of 22 - 24 degrees and 2.5 for the cooler months when the temperatures even in Spain do drop below 21 degrees at night! ) We are also going to be selling them in two sizes, 0-6 months and 6-18 months ... all the details will be on our site in the next week or so, so if you are thinking of buying a sleeping bag for your little one this winter don't forget to check ours out. They are a lot cheaper than Grobag, but of the very same high quality!

Here are the 3 designs we're expecting ... all three are perfect for either girls or boys. nb the colour of Carousel is beige/cream.

Noah's Ark Sleeping Bag, coming soon to http://www.indybel.com/ in 2.5 tog size 0-6 months

Carousel Sleeping Bag, coming soon to http://www.indybel.com/ in 2.5 tog, sizes 0-6 months and 6-18 months

Rainbow Sleeping Bag, coming soon to http://www.indybel.com/ in 1.5 tog, sizes 0-6 and 6-18 months

All designs gorgeous for girls or boys!!!

Perfect potz take the worry out of weaning!!

When I weaned my baby here in Spain the biggest headache was finding little pots to store the food. When you are weaning it is more practical both time wise and financially to make large amounts of puree's up at once than to cook everyday. So you need lots of little different sized pots which are also freezable and easily washable. I couldn' t find anything much in the shops here, you either got 4 or 5 pots which cost a fortune or a few plastic pots which were cheaper but less safe.

In the end I got my mum to send stuff over from the UK where there was an assortment of stuff avaliable. So she sent me little ice cube pots with lids, a set of 8 or so pots which were far cheaper than here and so on ... but to this day as far as I am aware, weaning pots or those for taking food out and about are still not easily avaliable in Spain. The best pots for taking food out I could find were mini tupplewares which again were both expensive and too big, so impractical!

So it is with huge delight and excitment that Indybel have discovered Babypotz ( pictured above and below ) ... these fantastic baby weaning pots are currently taking the UK and Ireland by storm. The brainchild of mum Lesley O'Mahony, Babypotz are everything you need them to be! Which includes BPA free and microwave, dishwasher, freezer and sterilizer safe... More than that they come in a boxes of 50 pots ( divided into 5 different handy sizes ) so you'll never run out. And believe me, as a mum who has weaned, you need a lot more pots about than you think! Each pot has it's own lid too so you can seal them securely in the freezer and take them out with you as they are.

Babypotz in our opinion are one of the best baby products we've seen for a while. They are practical, safe, look great and are also fantastic value for money. http://www.indybel.com/ will shortly be selling Babypotz on our site for 22.99€ for a box of 50 pots, that means each pot will only cost you 46 cents!!!

Check out http://www.indybel.com/ soon to find out more about Babypotz, or to reserve a box simply email info@indybel.com telling us how many boxes you'd like to reserve!

Is a breast feeding dolly taking things a little too far?

It's National Breast Feeding Week this week and at Indybel we always strive to support organisations that highlight issues for women. I found it amusing however when browsing the weeks news stories when I came across this rather bizarre article ... as the dolly in question was actually made in Spain it's certainly worth a mention here!

Bebe Gloton, Breastfeeding Doll from Spain, Causes a Stir

Rob Kuznia--HispanicBusiness.com

We've heard of dolls that eat, drink and sleep, but breast-feed? That's the concept behind a controversial new doll, available only in Spain. Called Bebe Gloton ,which translates loosely into "greedy baby", the toy is meant to promote the idea of breast feeding to young future mothers.

Made by Spanish toy manufacturer Berjuan, the doll's mouth latches on to the flower-shaped nipples affixed to a strap-on halter-top.The doll cries when its hungry and makes sucking noises when it is feeding. After the meal, it can be burped.

Some parents have criticized the doll, saying it promotes teen pregnancy. "That's not cool," Lori Reynolds, of El Paso, Texas said. "No, I would never get that for my child."The doll has created quite a stir in the blogosphere, prompting praise and criticism alike

"It is rather refreshing to see a doll that doesn't come with bottles and that shows breasts and nipples (or, eh, nipple blossoms) in a non-sexual situation," writes Alex Alvarez of Guanabee.com. Dad-blogger Eric Ruhalter was less amused, scoffing incredulously at that the toy-maker's claim that the doll is the first of its kind."If I invented the combination Baby-Changing Table/Table Saw it would be the 'first-ever,'" he wrote. "But that doesn't make it a good idea."

The entire teapot tempest calls to mind a similar uproar earlier this year over a doll, called Baby Wee Wee, that soils itself.

Hmm ... well it's certainly an interesting one and I can see both sides to the debate. Having just come back from a trip to the UK with my two and half year old to meet her new baby cousin, we were amused by how fascinated she was by breast feeding. After a few days of watching her aunt feed the new baby she took to taking her dolly along and lifting her top and feeding her dolly whenever her baby cousin was being fed. Actually she eventually tired of the feeding and hasn't mentioned it since returning to Spain, but rather than being worried we felt this was an entirely normal 'play' idea. Afterall last night she spent hours putting her dolly to bed and telling dolly off because she wouldn't go to sleep exactly as I do ... so again she's simply playing at being mummy which is both her favourite game and in my opinion one of the most harmless and healthiest games.

Of course at two and a half she's not really going to remember all this, but surely promoting the idea of breast feeeding as normal and healthy to a small child is a good thing. My objection to Bebe Gloton ( apart from the fact that surely a baby who is hungry for milk shouldn't be labelled as greedy!? ) is the rather breast feeding top that comes with it and the non sensical flowery nipples, which are creating an odd false reality and yet still drawing young girls attention to the idea that they need to reveal themselves in public to breastfeed.

I'm not sure I believe that Bebe Gloton would necessarily promote teen pregnancy, I'm sure most teen's are far to interested in other things such as pop music and Hannah Montana to want to breast feed a doll and those younger girls like my daughter will get tired pretty quickly of the demands of Bebe Gloton

Other than that I feel Bebe Gloton is a bit of a fad and would be surprised if she catches on ...

Still milk for thought? What do you think, let us know!

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.

Bambino Mio Cloth Nappies

Since our launch in August we've been overwhelmed by the interest in our natural nappy range. Despite the initial costs involved in buying natural nappies being quite large, we've had a huge number of enquiries about our nappies and a record number of sales. This is great news as it shows mums in Spain are really interested in the benefits afforded by using cloth nappy systems. These benefits include helping the environment and saving a huge amount of money over the two years or so that your child will be using nappies.

So far we've stocked the Imse Vimse range which we feel to be the best all in one natural nappy system on the market. Imse Vimse nappies are 'all in one' ( ie no covers, cloths etc ), so they look a little like disposables and are very easy to put as they follow the same design. They are oraganic and come with a number of accessories including bins, washing nets, sanitiser,

liners and booster pads.

Due to the interest in our nappies we are now delighted to offer a second alternative ... Bambino Mio. Bambino Mio is an award winning brand that has been a front runner in the natural nappy market for some years now. Bambino Mio nappies differ from Imse Vimse in that they are similar to the more traditional cloth nappy system and so you get a number of cloths and waterproof covers. But don't worry there are no pins ... today's nappy sytems are comfy and hygenic and use velcro or button fastenings.

We are delighted now to be able to offer our customers in Spain these two high quality and top of the market real nappy systems. Both are excellent quality, cost effective and highly recommended by parenting experts. We hope that by offering two completely different systems that vary in style and cost, we are able to cater for all our customers needs and lifestyles.

To find out more about our Imse Vimse and Bambino Mio resuable nappy systems in Spain please visit http://www.indybel.com/ and check our our Natural Nappy section in the baby store.