5 reasons why parents might choose cloth nappies

Posted on April 28, 2017 by sara

One of the topics we discuss in our BabyNatal Practical Baby Care classes is nappy changing. As with everything else we do at The Natal Family, we like to give parents plenty of useful information to help them make informed choices. This means that in our classes we go through a lot of options. And when it comes to nappy changing, parents can not only choose between different brands of disposable or eco-friendly nappies, but they can also opt for cloth or reusable nappies.

Sometimes in our classes, when we mention cloth nappies, parents-to-be look at us in horror. “Is this about the muslin cloths and pins that my grandmother used to use??” Not quite! The good news is that the demand for cloth nappies has exploded in the last few years, and as a consequence, reusable nappies have come a very long way. Continue reading →

Where can I bathe my newborn baby?

Posted on April 3, 2017 by sara

When it comes to caring for your newborn baby, bathing is probably the one thing that new parents feel more nervous about. New babies seem so tiny and fragile, and we, as parents, are aware of being so ‘new to the job’ that it’s completely normal to feel a little anxious and nervous. We’ve all been there!

Of course bathing is covered in our BabyNatal Practical Baby Care classes and, for the teachers who offer it, in our Caring for your Newborn courses, which also include Paediatric First Aid, Colic and Calming and Sleep. One of the things we cover when talking about bathing is where you can bathe your little one. As with many other things baby-related, parents have different options. And as always, we like to encourage parents to consider and discuss the choices available to them, in order to make decisions that work for them as a family. Continue reading →

Birthmarks: what’s a Mongolian Blue Spot?

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Steph

In our BabyNatal Practical Baby Care classes we talk about newborn appearance, and one of the things we briefly touch on are birthmarks. These congenital irregularities of the skin can be present at birth or can appear shortly after the birth (generally within the first 2 months of life) – not all babies will have them of course, but some might, so it’s important that parents are aware. There are various types of birthmarks, and they can be caused by different factors.

Today we are going to focus on a particular type of birthmark called Mongolian Blue Spot, also referred to as “slate grey navi” or, formally, as “congenital dermal melanocytosis”.
Continue reading →

What’s really hiding inside your baby’s wet wipes?

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Steph

In our BabyNatal Practical Baby Care classes we discuss nappy changing, washing baby clothes, and bathing amongst other things, and one aspect that invariably always comes up is around the usage of ‘baby products’, be it soaps and shampoos, wet wipes, detergents etc. You’ll never hear us recommend one product over another one, but you’ll hear us say is that we encourage all parents and parents-to-be to make informed choices, which are right for their families, their babies and their own unique circumstances. Continue reading →

Cleaning Baby’s bum – cotton wool, disposable or cloth wipes?

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Steph

Over the last few years reusable / cloth / washable or real nappies have become a more and more popular choice for parents, and it’s only natural that a range of options has recently opened up in the realm of wipes too. A wide choice is now available when it comes to wipes, and we’re not just talking about different brands of baby wipes (scented vs unscented, water-based etc.), but also about reusable / cloth / washable wipes now becoming a more wide-spread reality, as parents are becoming more aware about the chemical content of disposable baby wipes and are choosing more eco-friendly and natural options. Continue reading →

Reusable Wipes Vs. Disposable Wipes… Which one’s for your family?

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Steph

A guest post from our BabyNatal Bedford teacher, Hazel Newhouse.

What to use?

I like to try out my options when it comes to baby care. I won’t knock it ‘till I’ve tried it, so to speak. Something we all use, and tend to not think twice about is baby wipes. What are your options? Which is cheaper? Do I use Reusable or Disposable? Or plain old cotton wool? And let’s face it, when you’re pregnant, your brain works in mysterious ways. The simplest of decisions becomes a massive task to undertake. I once dragged Jay around 4 different shops once, just to find the perfect tea towels. Strange, I know.

Continue reading →