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I spy mince pies... What would you like for Christmas?

Posted by Alice Lo · November 07, 2017

I actually first saw mince pies in my local Co-op at the end of September, and almost cried. But I pulled myself together, clutched a box of Claudi and Fin ice lollies, and repeated the phrase ‘Indian summer’ to myself until I left the shop.

Whether we like it or not, Christmas really is just around the corner. And, horror of horrors, we’ve actually uttered the following words to our three year old daughter.

‘What would you like for Christmas?’

For a girl who suddenly really gets the concept of presents, this was like offering her a lifetime supply of Yo-Yos and Bear Paws. Her face lit up, and she danced around laughing, calling out various things. And ever since, every now and again when there’s something she wants that we don’t have, she will pause and state matter-of-factly, ‘Don’t worry mum, Santa will bring it’. And my heart stops a little because I can already see that we’ll have to start introducing some boundaries so that she knows what to expect and can enjoy the day. But, what are the right boundaries to introduce? And in what way?

In the past, we’ve used Christmas as a way to replace things like pyjamas, socks and jumpers. We’ve also stocked up on new books, and art supplies, and started a few rituals to make the run up to the day special. It was about having something for our daughter to open, more than anything else. What was inside didn’t really matter to her. I think that ship has sailed…

Last year my husband and I decided to try out the ‘Four gift rule’ of buying each other something you ‘want, need, wear and read’. This worked perfectly for us, and we will be repeating it again this year. But when it comes to the girls, this feels a little over their heads. Especially our youngest, who will be just over one year.

So I’m curious – for those of you who celebrate, what do you do? Do you focus on traditions? Do you use Christmas as an excuse to spoil your gorgeous little ones once a year? Do you moderate, and encourage them to think more about others than about themselves? Is it an opportunity to do a clear-out and toy donation? I’ve even heard of some families volunteering together in the run up to Christmas, to shift some of the focus away from presents. I think it’s a lovely idea, and one I’d like to introduce when the girls are a bit older. But in the meantime, how do I make this a holiday that is as much about the important stuff as it is about Santa? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

What makes you feel like a good parent?

Posted by Alice Lo · November 05, 2017

Before having kids, I think most people wonder whether they’ll be good parents. Will my kids like me? Will they be happy? Will I mess it all up? It’s different for everyone, but there’s always SOMETHING that makes you feel like you’re on the right track in this messy job of parenting. For me, it’s food… oh, food.

Baby it's COLD outside - how do I keep my baby healthy in winter?

Posted by Alice Lo · October 26, 2017

Noses are running and the little ones are coughing; it’s cold season, yet again. What do you do to keep your little ones healthy and germ-free? And when they get sick, what do you do to help them feel better faster? Here are the three things I’m trying out this year.

What's the fuss with BPA?

Posted by Alice Lo · September 30, 2017

There's a lot of baby products out there claiming to be BPA free. What is BPA and what harm can it cause? Are all baby products BPA free? These were some of the questions in my mind when I first had a baby. After some research I realised that all baby bottles and cups were BPA free but not necessarily everything else. The potential harm of BPA encouraged us to start using less plastic feeding utensils for the kids and since we have started our journey towards a plastic free life and zero waste life. Here's a brief background on BPA.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is often used with other materials as an industrial chemical to make plastics used for water bottles, coatings of metal food containers and bottle tops. BPA may leach in small amounts into food and drinks stored in materials containing the substance. The safety is widely disputed. In 2011 and 2012 The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the United State’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) respectively banned its use in baby bottles, infant sippy cups and later, in the lining of infant formula packaging (although this was done out of abandonment rather than safety concerns).

Even though both authorities continue to support its safety in low levels exposed from food there have been increasing expressions of safety concerns and they are continuing to look into new research because there have been studies in young animals and humans that show that BPA can be harmful.

As recent as June 2017 The Member State Committee (MSC)* supported to additionally identify BPA as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) because of its endocrine disrupting properties which may cause serious effects to human health.

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic the body’s hormones and produce a harmful effect on development, reproduction as well as having neurological and immune effects.

It seems there isn’t enough evidence for the authorities to state BPA is unsafe but there isn’t evidence to say it is safe either.

What can you do to limit BPA absorption?

Some, but not all, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA. Avoid using these plastics if possible.
When containers containing BPA are heated, the level of BPA rises in the food therefore do not heat these containers in the microwave or even put very hot or boiling foods and liquids into these containers.
Throw out all bottles that are scratched as not only can they harbour bacteria but if they contain BPA then there is more chance BPA can leach.

References
1. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov
2. European Food Safety Authority www.efsa.europa.eu
3. European Chemical Agency https://echa.europa.eu/

*MSC seeks unanimous agreement on identification of substances for the list of SVHC

Quick natural ways to clean the baby bottles

Posted by Alice Lo · September 15, 2017

Learning how to feed a baby may be a huge excitement but it is also a very responsible task. Parents should make sure that the baby bottles are always extra clean. This doesn’t mean purchasing chemical detergents or running an almost empty dishwasher several times per day. There are many natural ways to clean the baby bottles and I guarantee that you will be nicely surprised with the result. You can achieve the required pristine level of cleanliness with hot water, baking soda and vinegar. Keep in mind that it is important to sanitise not only the baby bottles but also the place where you store them.

Here are several ways to take care of the baby bottles, which will bring you peace of mind:

One of the easiest natural ways to clean the baby bottles is to boil a big pot of water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir the mixture and place all bottles parts in it. let them soak overnight. The next morning take the parts out of the pot, put them in another big vessel and rinse with water, making sure that the baking soda is removed completely. After that, let the parts dry on a paper towel. Use the bottles directly or put them in their rightful place.

Another easy solution is scrubbing the bottles with natural soap and a bottle brush. It cleans out the formula residue completely. Dissolve a small amount of the natural soap in hot water, dip the brush in the mixture and start rubbing the bottles with it. Use a detachable small brush to clean the nipples, bacteria often hide there. Clean all bottle components and after that rinse them with a mixture made of boiled water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

Here is how you can eliminate the sweet milk smell that all bottles gain with time. First wash the inside of the bottle, using hot water, natural soap and a bottle brush. After that, rinse the bottle and fill it halfway with a mixture of hot water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Close the bottle and shake for several minutes. Then rinse it and check if the sour milk smell is eliminated. If necessary, repeat the procedure with the baking soda one more time.

Proper drying is crucial for germ-free baby bottles. Make sure that the bottles, nipples and valves are completely dry before you feed your baby or put them away. Humidity attracts bacteria. Investing in a drying rack is a smart solution. It holds all bottle parts and keeps the countertops dry. As every parent, you also want to give your baby the best from the very start. These natural ways will help you to do that and give you peace of mind.

Please note these are cleaning not sterilisation methods. It is recommended by the NHS that bottles are sterilised after cleaning until your baby is 12 months old.