Little Angels Wipes With Nappy Cream Pot

Asda's award winning Little Angels Cotton Soft Baby Wipes have just got even better.  In an innovative twist on ordinary packaging, Asda have launched their wipes with an inbuilt pot of Nappy Cream in the flip-top lid!  The inclusion of the pot means that you will always have access to nappy cream, whether you are at home or out and about.  Keeping a pack in your baby changing bag  means that you won't have to root around for separate pots or tubs. Particularly handy if you are mid-nappy change!  It is all there in one handy package.  It's perfect for holidays when space is at a premium, reducing the bulk of essential items needed when you have a baby.

We have tried out the wipes.  Each pack includes 64 strong, fragrant, good sized wipes that pull up from one half of the flip-top lid.  The other side contains the cream.  It is quite an ingenious design being both space saving and convenient.  If ever nappy rash strikes, you will be prepared!

The wipes cost just £2.48 and are available from March 26th instore at Asda.

Second Time Round

When my son Joe was born in 1988, I went from being young, free and single to being a mum.  The overwhelming responsibility that came with the birth of my child was immense.  He wasn't an easy baby.  After a traumatic birth he was an angry little boy, with clenched fists who stayed in the foetal position for weeks.  He was difficult to feed.  I had to give up breastfeeding and source a bottle that he could feed from.  It took a long time for him to feed happily.  I had to find nappies that didn't chafe his sensitive skin...disposables weren't as soft and well fitted 22 years ago.  He cried a lot and didn't sleep well for those early weeks. 

As a toddler he was extremely mischievous and energetic.  He got up to all sorts including flushing his new leather shoes down the toilet.  He was a really fussy eater, able to eject a piece of vegetable from a mouthful of food.  He always wanted the latest toys and I tried desperately to placate him with every must have that was stocked in Woolies!  I felt like I had to live up to my own high expectations of motherhood.  Being a young, single parent I tried even harder to prove to everyone that I could do it.  

I adored my baby boy and really tried extremely hard to compensate for the fact that I couldn't give him everything I wished for.  Being a first time mummy was hard...being a single, teenage mummy was harder still!

When Joe was 3 I had baby number two, Megan.  I had a horrendous pregnancy developing pre-eclampsia and winding up in hospital.  However, my little girl was delivered safely into the world.  It should have been the start of a really difficult time...two under threes on my own.  (I had just come out of a really unpleasant relationship...the odds were stacked against me.)

However, I remember the midwife visiting me and saying how well organised I was and that I was coping so well I could babysit a couple of others. I was relaxed and happy just to take things that had previously stressed me out in my stride.  I knew I could do it.  I knew that there was no need to panic because things end up OK in the end.  I was happier to accept help and had much more confidence.  I felt less judged as a mum of two than a mum of one.

So even though in essence it was double the workload, it was half the pressure.  I had well established routines and had learned tricks of the trade.  From a very early age I'd sit Meg in her bouncy chair and prop her milk bottle on the toy bar which was just the right height for her to drink it.  I got on with other things as she fed herself!!  I had no problem with her sitting with her brother watching the latest Disney movie on TV.  I never felt the need to buy everything to prove I was a good mum.  Days out with friends were more important!  I went back to college when she was a baby, and happily had her looked after at the creche.  I wasn't as over protective and stressful, even though I adored her, I was able to look to the bigger picture and do things for the benefit of our little family without feeling guilty.

Having baby number three was a breeze and really didn't cause me any stress at all. I was an accomplished young mum and was by now with my amazingly supportive husband.  My next two additions to the family altered the family dynamic for the better...just adding more love and fun to family life.  Having a big family is really not that hard compared to those days when I had just one baby to care for.

This is my experience of motherhood.  It is an interesting phenomenon that having more babies makes parenting easier and less stressful. 

Leading nursery brand Munchkin have commissioned a survey of 3000 mums investigating the difference between having one child and two.  

The study has revealed 75 per cent of mums feel more relaxed with their second child, and as a result are less likely to treat them with ‘kid gloves’. As such, the stats reveal second children will more than likely go onto solid foods slightly earlier with 26 per cent of ‘second time mums’ less likely to make the baby their own special meals after weaning, and simply blend whatever the family is having. When it comes to splashing out on purchases for the new baby, mums are more likely to accept second-hand clothes, and spend less money on toys and treats. In fact, a quarter of all mums admitted to being more relaxed and confident with their second child.

Five things mums admitted to doing differently with their second child

1.     Leave to entertain themselves for short period whilst they get on with some housework

2.     Started weaning them slightly earlier than six months

3.     More willing to accept second hand clothes

4.     Spend less money on toys and treats

5.     Let them watch ‘older television’ at a younger age than their older sibling

Dr Amanda Gummer is a leading authority on child development, play and parenting with over 20 years experience. Her aim is for every parent to feel comfortable and relaxed with how they parent their child. Amanda states: “These findings suggest that it’s the little things that mums do that are different with their second child. With two, mums naturally start to work smarter because they have so much to get through each day. Generally when the second child comes along, mums have become much more confident in their parenting abilities and developed their own style.”

So we should celebrate our experience and see it as the gift it is!!  Does your experience match these findings?

Staying Safe with Milton

You couldn't have failed to have seen news of the terrible E.coli outbreak that has effected so many families in Germany.  At first it was attributed to Spanish cucumbers before being tracked back to infected bean sprouts in Germany itself.  My immediate reaction when I first heard the news was to worry about feeding salad, fruit or fresh vegetables to my family. I take the quality of  food in the supermarkets for granted so this was a wake up call.  All it takes is one moment of careless handling in the supply chain and the ensuing consequences can be devastating.  The safety of my family is paramount to me.  So, when I was offered some products from Milton to test, I was particularly interested!

Milton Sterilising Fluid is generally associated with the sterilisation of baby bottles and equipment.  However, it is also food safe for ensuring that salads, fruits and vegetables are completely safe for consumption.  The FSA advises people to wash their produce in Milton solution for 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.  It leaves no taste and kills all the bacteria.  This is definitely good to know, and keeping a bottle of sterilising solution under the sink (even after the baby stage is over) is definitely a sensible idea!  It also is great for sterilising your washing up sponge...did you know it could be harbouring over 10,000 bacteria per square inch!

In addition to the fluid, Milton also has a range of products that will keep babies and children safe.  Their Sterilising Tablets are a convenient way of keeping baby's feeding essentials hygienically clean and are perfect for when on holiday. The tablets take just 15 minutes to sterilise baby's equipment, and the solution stays effective for 24 hours.

Milton produce an anti-bacterial Fabric Solution.  Clothing and bedding carries germs that can cause infections or bad smells.  With many of us washing our laundry at lower temperatures, many of the germs are not being killed in the washing process.  This is something that particularly occurs if you use re-usable nappies.    Milton Fabric Solution is a fresh smelling liquid that is added to the wash and eliminates germs even at low temperatures.  It is mild and gentle and can be used with all fabrics and on baby's clothing. If someone in the family has been ill, washing their clothing and bedding with Milton Fabric Solution can stop the spread of the illness.

Milton Surface Spray is a great defence against the micro-organisms that can cause food poisoning.  It can also protect against the spread of flu.  Effective against Salmonella, E.coli, Listeria and Candida, the spray can be used in kitchens, nurseries, bathrooms and toy rooms.  It has a pleasant scent and smells lovely and fresh  (and not like the chemical odour of a hospital!!)

The Antibacterial Surface Wipes are a convenient way of keeping things clean, especially when out and about.  They have the same anti-bacterial action as the spray and are perfect for use in restaurants, hotel rooms or when travelling to keep surfaces germ-free.  They are 100% bio-degradable so you needn't worry about them not being eco-friendly.  I love to keep a pack in my baby bag...it is very reassuring to know I can clean up any bacterial  'hotspots' wherever I am.  Also, they are great for running over my laptop....it can hold more germs than the toilet!

The Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel is a handy size for carrying on your person to keep your hands germ free.  They are effective against bacteria and viruses such as flu, so can help stop the spread of infectious diseases.  It is great for travelling, when using public facilities, before eating or when looking after baby (particularly after nappy changes!)  The gel smells nice and doesn't dry out your hands as it is moisturised.  It doesn't leave a sticky residue either.

Milton have been protecting babies for over 60 years with their fast, safe and easy to use products.  Milton is trusted by millions of parents and healthcare professionals in the UK and beyond.

Check Milton out for yourself on Facebook and Twitter for more information, competitions and chat.

*CLOSED* Review and Giveaway - B.Sensible Sheet

Freddy is almost two and the time for some serious potty training is almost upon us. Without the protection of nappies, bedding can come in for some very harsh treatment and there is not much worse than a soggy mattress!  So when I was given the chance of testing a B.sensible 2 in1 Fitted Sheet and Mattress Protector for Freddy's cot bed I was only too happy!


B.sensible heralds a new dawn in bedding suitable for babies and toddlers (and adults too).  It offers a revolutionary sleeping experience that provides a solution to problems such as leaking nappies, sickness or bed wetting.  The sheets are not only waterproof they are also breathable so they care for baby'sdelicate skin.  There is no longer a need for separate plastic sheeting, which can be uncomfortable, noisy and can cause excess sweating.  The sheet also acts as a barrier against dust mites and bacteria .


B.sensible sheets are:

• Made from 100% natural Tencel thermo-regulating fabric
• Use a Dermofresh waterproofing system
• Naturally provide a barrier against bacteria and mites
• Hypoallergenic and clinically proven to be suitable for those with sensitive skin, eczema, asthma & rhinitis.
• Use a totally eco-friendly manufacturing process.

The sheets are fitted and are available for Moses Baskets right up to King Size beds in 24 colours.  They are washable up to 90 degrees and are suitable for tumble drying which is fantastic.  They can be washed and dried and put back on the bed quickly and easily when needed.

We were sent a white cot bed sheet to try out.  It came rolled up in a cardboard tube which did not use any excess packaging. It didn't feel plasticky at all when I took it from the box.  The waterproofing is so fine and the sheet feels soft like a fine jersey cotton. It is so different to any sheets I've ever used before and a far better option to having a plastic mattress protector under a sheet.


I tested out the sheet's waterproof quality by pouring a drop of water onto it.  The water pooled into a droplet before gently absorbing into the material.  Not an iota of water went through the waterproof membrane.  Impressive!

The water pooled on the sheet and did not soak through the waterproof membrane.

It fitted easily on the mattress and is a good size.  The quality is good. There is a 10 year guarantee on fabric and stitching defects.  I have complete confidence after my test that this sheet will cope with any potty training disasters that are on the horizon.  In the mean time it will keep Freddy comfortable and cared for, and protect his mattress.  

I have one B.sensible 2 in 1 fitted sheet and mattress protector to give away to one lucky reader. It is in Pure White and has an RRP of £19.99.


To enter simply do any or all of the following, leaving me a separate comment  for each.  Maximum of 5 entries per person!  Make sure that I have a way of contacting you such as a Twitter id!

• Like B.sensible on Facebook and write on their wall that "Inside the Wendy House sent me!"
• Follow B.sensible on Twitter
• Follow this blog through GFC and/or Networked blogs
• Like Inside the Wendy House on Facebook and write "I'm in it to win with B.sensible and www.insidethewendyhouse.blogspot.com"
• Tweet "Win a @Bsensible cot sheet with @wendymcd83 Inside the Wendy House at http://tinyurl.com/4yz62xf "

The winner will be drawn on June 20th from all comments received.  UK only please. 


Find out more about these revolutionary bedding products at bsensible.net  

Flexibath for Summer

With Summer fast approaching *crosses fingers* many of us will be travelling with our babies, visiting friends, going to festivals or heading off to camping sites to enjoy a well earned break.  Flexibath, the ingenious foldaway baby bath, offers a solution to the problem of bathing your baby away from home.  The bath folds completely flat so it is easy to pop into the car.  Traditional baby baths are so cumbersome.  Danish company, a Real Cool World, took three years to design a smart, practical product which offered an alternative to parents.  Flexibath was born and is now sold globally.  It fits easily into the smallest space making it ideal when at home or away!

The 39 litre capacity is suitable for babies up to the age of 4.  Freddy is 2 and uses the big bath with his sister, but if I was away from home it'd definitely do the job.  The innovative folding mechanism is really effective and the bath doesn't feel at all flimsy.  It is available in a whole rainbow of colours including the new purple one.  The surface is non-slip making it extra safe.

Flexibath have just launched bath toys to accompany the bath, which come with an attachable little shelf.  The soft to touch cups, funnel and jugs are made in the same material as the bath which is free from PVC, phthalates, BPA and other potentially hazardous materials.  They are safe, easy to clean at 60 degrees and environmentally responsible.  Plus they are colourful and fun!!

One other way to use the Flexibath this summer is to use it outdoors.  I filled ours with water and threw in some toys and Freddy and Kizzy spent ages splashing around.  Kids love water play.  You could use it at home in the garden or wherever you are on holiday to add another dimension of fun to playtime!  Then when they have finished, drain out the water (I used it to water my plants) and fold away the Flexibath to stow away.

The Flexibath retails for £29.95 and the toys are £13.95 available online from Flexibath.


*I received a Flexibath to test out with my Tiny Testers*

Dentinox...Relief for Babies

I have a baby who suffers terribly from teething.  I've never known a baby like him.  His gums swell, the tooth breaks the surface but then the gum closes over again!  It's weird!  By 18 months he still hadn't managed to get all front 8 teeth even though they had been visible for about 9 months.  Tooth number 8 has finally broken through along with 4 molars but they are growing so slowly.  He doesn't just pop out his pearly whites at all.  So he really suffers.  Bright red cheeks and grizzly days with him pointing into his mouth accusingly and saying "teeth"  are common events.  Even the amber teething necklace that he wears is getting  a bit fed up!  Poor Freddy.

When Dentinox offered a possible source of relief, I was only too happy to give it a try.  I was sent a package containing a range of their products to try out with Freddy.

I was really pleased to try out the Teething Toothpaste, which I'd never heard of before, and of course the Teething Gel.  He's still got a long way to go before he gets his full set of milk teeth...so he really needs some help!

The Teething Toothpaste is slightly sweet tasting.  Freddy found the taste pleasant enough.  When his gums are sore he really objects to having a toothbrush probed around his mouth and it can occasionally be a bit of a battle.  The Dentinox Teething Toothpaste comes with a fingerbrush for gently massaging the gums.  It was quite a novelty for Freddy who enjoyed having his teeth and gums rubbed with it. It offers us an alternative which avoids any distress to him.  This product is definitely another weapon in our arsenal against the dreaded teething.

The Teething Gel is wonderful.  It tastes quite nice and provides a mildly numbing sensation against pain.  It's mild and gentle and sugar free.  Freddy happily let me apply it...even popping his own finger out in the hope I'd give him an extra squeeze of gel to put on for himself.  It offered a distraction as well as a way of relieving pain and also preventing infection.  I keep one tube in my handbag and one on the bedside table to cover my bases, and it really seems to help him.

Although he has never suffered from the really thick cradle cap that some poor babies get, Freddy does still have some patches on his scalp.  So I decided to give the Cradle Cap Shampoo a try.  It was lovely.  It smelt really fresh and I gently massaged it into his scalp, then used a comb to removed the scaly patches that had lifted off.  It was brilliant.  In the past I had used oil on his scalp, but that really is a messy method.  This shampoo is mild enough for regular use.  His hair was very shiny and bouncy after we dried it....I might try it myself!

Thankfully, he has never suffered from colic, so I haven't tried the drops.  They are however alcohol free, suitable from birth and give baby relief by dispersing trapped air.  Dentinox is definitely a brand synonymous with helping babies through difficult phases in their development.  With  40 years experience in the baby medicine market, they are like a tried and trusted friend to help us out when common ailments upset our precious little ones!

Dentinox is readily available in most supermarkets, Boots and pharmacies.

Listography...5 Books for Toddlers

What a cute theme for a list!  I've had 22 years of baby book buying and have spent a fortune with the Book People and Red House.  I love baby books so much.  I love the pictures.  I love the sing song text. I love sharing them with my littlies and see them run their chubby little fingers along the words as they come to realise that the strange squiggles actually mean something!  I love it when the older children read to the younger ones and pass on favourite stories.  Books play a big part in our household, we have a Tidy Books Bookcase that I won just before Christmas.  It is filled with board books, lift the flap books, noisy books and story books.  Freddy sits down and pulls a book out and usually exclaims "Oh Wow!" as he opens the pages.  I hope his love of books continues and that he becomes a book worm like his sisters.

Sharing a story with Daddy.

Here are my pick of the top 5 books for babies that have received my kids' seal of approval!  We've enjoyed many an hour pouring through these books.

1:  Bears in Pairs is over 20 years old now and is still much loved with its rhyming couplets describing the bears on their way to a tea party.  "Tall Bear, Small bear, Hairy bear, Scary bear!"  The pictures are charming and my children have enjoyed trying to find all the bears on the final page showing them all at the tea party.

2: With a daughter called Megan, we had to buy the whole set of Meg and Mog books.  The quirky illustrations and the funny stories have had my children riveted.  We particularly like the one where they visit the vets.  

3: Animal Pants will help nurture a love of toilet humour in even the youngest child.  We learn that skunks have smelly pants and a chameleon's pants change colour!  The brilliant illustrations are bold and bright.  It's a real favourite in our household!

4: Elmer the colourful elephant is such an appealing character who wants to look like everyone else so he rolls in berry juice.  I'd be glad to sport my patchwork colour scheme if I was Elmer...it's a funky Boho look!

5: The Ravenous Beast was Freddy's first favourite book that he shared over and over again with his Daddy.  The animals all try to out-hungry each other until the ravenous beast comes along and scoffs the lot of them!  Love it!

Freddy xxx

I never really ever felt that I was done with having babies.  I could never commit to any permanent method of birth control (much to Ian's delight because that would have meant a vasectomy for him!!  He is a little protective of his testicles!!)  Each new arrival did not bring that feeling of closure, and I never thought my family was complete.  That was until Freddy's birth.  He seems to have given me that sense of completeness that I never felt before. 

Being 40 and pregnant meant I was faced with the prospect of genetic counselling and the offer of tests to check to see if the baby was "normal".  I declined all such intervention, refusing even the routine bloodwork which calculates the probabilty of having a baby with Downs Syndrome or Spina Bifida.  My committment to my child started at conception, and regardless of my high risk status, this baby had my support.  As soon as a saw a developing brain and a beating heart on the first scan, that was confirmed!

Thankfully, we were incredibly blessed and despite a scare on the 20 week scan (that turned out to be nothing more than human error on behalf of an over eager and under trained sonographer) we had an absolutely perfect baby boy!

Our family is girl heavy.  At the time of Freddy's birth my grandparents had 11 grandchildren of which only 2 were boys!  My own son Joe was 21 and had always longed for a baby brother.  I had given him 3 sisters!  Freddy's arrival delighted him, even though he had left home to live with his girlfriend just weeks before he was born.  Having my baby boy seemed to give a beautiful symmetry to my family.  The girls were also thrilled with Freddy.  He brought a whole new dimension to our home.  Boys' toys litter the living room floor.  Fred is a bundle of energy and full of mischief.  He is a very different creature to his sisters.  He loves balls.  He loves throwing things.  He is funny, affectionate and cheeky. He is an absolute joy!

My family feels complete now.  I look at my children and feel so proud of each and every one of them. I never thought I'd be a new mum again at 40, but it proving to be an exciting journey and I am loving the ride!