Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment - Review



When you become a parent there are endless amounts of worries which run through your mind on a daily basis. My son is now three years old and I'm currently pregnant with baby number two and I'd like to say the worries subside a little as they get older but that isn't the case, there's always something to mull over. I suppose as parents it's our job to worry and it shows how much we care.
One of the things I worried about especially as a new parent was nappy rash. I'd read and heard a lot of stories about babies in discomfort with nasty rashes on their delicate behinds so I did a little bit of research and discovered Bepanthen. A lot of parents apply cream and ointments once the nappy rash has reared it's ugly head but with Bepanthen it's all about prevention and not just the cure. 

Our little ones bottoms go through so much when wearing nappies, especially with their night time nappy which they can wear for up to 12 hours a night. Imagine having a damp nappy on your bum for that long whilst you sleep, it's no wonder some babies are prone to nappy rash. This is where Bepanthen comes in.


What is Bepanthen?
Bepanthen is an ointment containing Pro-Vitamin B5 which gently aids natural skin recovery, while keeping it soft smooth and moisturised too. It forms a breathable transparent layer protecting even the most delicate skin from the causes of nappy rash. Bepanthen doesn't contain perfumes, antiseptics or preservatives and is clinically proven to protect from the causes of nappy rash.

How does Bepanthen work?
It cures. Bepanthen's ointment contains Pro Vitamin B5 which aids natural recovery of sensitive skin while keeping it soft and hydrated. Bepanthen also works by helping to seal in the skin's natural moisture, providing optimal conditions to allow gentle skin recovery without drying out your baby's delicate skin.

It protects. It's clinically proven that Bepanthen works by forming a transparent layer protecting even the most delicate skin from irritants and rubbing. The water in oil ointment keeps the skin healthy and hydrated, which is essential to help maintain its natural protective barrier.

How do I use Bepanthen?
You simply apply a thin layer of Bepanthen to your baby's clean, dry bottom after every nappy change. You only need a little ointment at each change because a little really goes a long way. Bepanthen offers additional comfort for your baby as it is non-sticky and is easy for mothers to clean.


Bepanthen recently launched a new e-book called What the Parenting Manuals Don’t Tell You. This book shares genuine tips for new or expectant parents from mums and dads who have experienced it all. It even includes a tip from me, so you'll have to keep a look out for that one! Not only does this book share invaluable tips from fellow parents but it was created in collaboration with parenting expert, Lisa Clegg. It's an excellent book, especially for new parents and it's also free to download. 

We've always sworn by Bepanthen and it's certainly a product we will continue using once our baby girl is born in February.

Have you used Bepanthen before?

- Wrote in collaboration with Bepanthen. 

30 & 31 Weeks Pregnant - Baby #2



Baby
Baby girl has grown from an estimated 15.7 inches to 16.25 inches long. On average she could have grown from 2.75lb to 3.3lb and is really starting to fill out now. Over the next few weeks it's all about bulking out and forming some fat beneath her skin. I can really tell she is growing rapidly now because there's less room for her to wiggle around and her movements feel different, it's like there's a baby dolphin swimming around in there! She's hard at work practising to breathe and often gets bouts of hiccups which is such a strange but lovely sensation! Her eyes can now dilate and change in the light and she often responds to hearing our voices, especially Noah's.  


Mummy
This Mummy is aching from head to toe! This pregnancy has been so similar to my first in some aspects but so totally different in others. I've had a lot more symptoms, aches and pains this time around and I think that is mainly because it's my second pregnancy, labour and pregnancy the first time around must have wrecked my body! I have quite bad pelvic and lower back pain at the moment and when I wake up in the morning I can't walk for a few minutes. It also makes it difficult to be on my feet for a long time and getting asleep at night is quite tricky too. Nausea has also returned and heartburn is still rearing it's ugly head. I've also got low iron which I had with Noah so I'm on the supplements again which also add to the not so pleasant symptoms, ha ha. All this aside I'm still really enjoying pregnancy, I don't think much could ever change that. Even now on the last stretch of my second pregnancy I'm still totally in awe at the whole experience, I think it's incredible. I'm really trying to savour every moment as I know this will probably be the last time I will be pregnant and I know that I'll really miss it.

I still can't get my head around how quickly this pregnancy has flown by. It only feels like yesterday when we were trying to conceive and I was documenting my first trimester of pregnancy. To think that she could be here in just 9 weeks time is just crazy! I feel so unprepared this time around because with Noah I had everything sorted quite early on. I think with your second pregnancy you are a lot more relaxed about the whole thing and you have another child occupying your attention too so there's not as much free time. As soon as we get into the new year I have to start getting everything ready for her because I have a feeling she may come early. We will have to wait and see!

See you next week! 


Project 365 - Week 51


18th December - 24th December

18/12/16

19/12/16

20/12/16

21/12/16

22/12/16


23/12/16

24/12/16

This week has been all about the lead up to Christmas and we've been doing lots of festive things to get us all in the spirit. We've been reading Christmas stories, making Christmas decorations, watching Christmas films, we've visited Santa and talking lots about the day too! Noah had nursery on Tuesday afternoon as usual and did lots of Christmas arts and crafts. On the Wednesday he had his Christmas party at nursery which he really enjoyed! When I went to drop him off they were sat with the head mistresses who was playing the acoustic guitar and singing Christmas songs, it was so lovely! Thursday was spent shopping and Friday we took Noah to another Santa's grotto. It was absolutely terrible weather wise but we just had to get out the house and fit one more festive activity into the mix before the big day! Today is Christmas Eve and I plan on finishing all the preparations before visiting family later tonight, we are so excited for tomorrow! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

What have you been up to this week?

Lalaloopsy Mittens Fluff N Stuff - Competition



Christmas is fast approaching and the big day will be here before we know it. Are you organised this year? I'm not at all, I'm so behind with everything but I'm still so looking forward for it! Noah is at the age now where he's so excited for Christmas day and I've already lost count of the amount of times we've sang Jingle Bells!  

To add to the Christmas excitement we were invited to take part in a rather fun and festive campaign with Lalaloopsy. We were sent the Lalaloopsy Mittens Fluff N Stuff doll to keep and a craft set to create our very own Christmas decoration.

Lalaloopsy Mittens Fluff ‘n’ Stuff Doll is busy sewing snowflakes into her dress, because there’s a princess ball coming to Lalaloopsy Land! Mittens and her friends have sewn their unique style into their magical gowns. They look sew royal! Lalaloopsy Mittens Fluff ‘n’ Stuff Doll was sewn on December 21st. She was sewn from an eskimo’s scarf. Lalaloopsy Dolls live in a colourful, silly world, and it’s your job to keep the magic of their world alive!





Noah insisted on creating his Christmas decoration first thing in the morning, straight after his breakfast (hence the PJ's!) We were sent a big snowflake decoration, glitter pens and lots of different shiny gems to decorate with. Noah really enjoyed getting messy with the glitter pens and placing all stars, hearts and circle gems on the different parts of the snowflake. I did wonder if they would all be still stuck down once dried but much to my delight they did and the decoration is now hung proudly on our Christmas tree! 

How would you like to win a Lalaloopsy Mittens Fluff N Stuff doll? I'm have one to give one away to one lucky reader! To enter all you need to do is use the Gleam form below! Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!
Lalaloopsy Mittens Fluff N Stuff Doll

Terms & Conditions.                                                                                                 
1. There will be 1 winner who will win the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize sent directly by the PR. 
3. Competition ends 15/01/17
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified. 
5. UK entries only.

Graco Evo XT Pushchair - Review



I've been part of the Generation Graco team for the past few months and as my contract with them draws to a close I bring to you my third and final review. Before I get onto that though here are my first and second reviews of the Graco Milestone Car Seat and Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio in case you missed them the first time around. 


As previously mentioned the final Graco product I was sent to review was the Evo XT Pushchair and although Noah doesn't use pushchairs like this anymore I was invited to share my initial impressions of the model.


The Evo XT was very easy to set up once out the box and straight away both my partner and I were impressed. We noted how perfect it would have been for us when Noah was a little younger as we love to explore and the all-terrain rubber tyres would have been a godsend for us as a family. Just steering the pushchair around the house I could tell how easy it would glide over both smooth and rough surfaces as the tyres are so large on both the front and the back of the pushchair. The front wheels can also be locked which is of course down to preference as I don't tend to use that option myself. The pushchair also has all-round suspension to ensure a comfortable ride for your little one even when exploring off road.



Another great feature of the Graco Evo XT is that the seat can be used both rear and parent facing, this is always something I always look for in a pushchair or travel system. It's great to have both options so you can switch it around to your child's age or preference. The seat unit is comfortable, has a five-point harness and is easy to recline with three different settings. You can adjust this using a button feature rather than a toggle which is another aspect I always prefer in a pushchair, so another thumbs up there.

Not only does the Evo XT have good tyres and a great seating unit but it also has a large hood to protect your child from the elements and has a really generous sized shopping basket too. The pushchair also comes with a rain cover and cosy toes which I think is brilliant as sometimes you need to buy these separate at an additional cost.



Features:

Suitable from birth to a maximum weight of 15kg (approx 3 years)
Reversible forward and rearward facing seat
Three-position recline for comfortable snoozing
Includes rain cover and luxury footmuff
Ergonomic height adjustable foam handles
Front and rear mudguards to keep you pushchair clean
Removable front swivel wheels
Compatible with Graco XT carrycot and Graco Snugfix car seat (sold separately)
Large shopping basket under the seat
One hand easy fold
Long wheelbase for added stability
Large wheels with rubber tyres and a multi-terrain tread to handle rough ground
Refined suspension on both front and rear wheels
Extendable sun canopy in hood
Pushchair Weight: 10.5kg
Folded Dimensions: H106xW60xD41cm


The Graco Evo XT can be used from birth (with the additional purchase of the Graco Evo XT carrycot) through to three years old. It's priced at £399.99 which I would have been more than happy to pay as it has everything that I look for in a pushchair and more.  

What features do you look for in a pushchair? 
- I was sent this product for the purpose of this review. However all opinions are my own.