Slumbersac Sleeping Bag with Feet - Review

One of my baby essentials has got to be a sleeping bag. We've used one since Noah was around 2 months old and we still do now at 23 months. Some baby products on the market sound great and sound like they are needed but more often than that they are a novelty and you end up never using them. At first I did worry that would be the case with sleeping bags but I couldn't of been more wrong. They are simply amazing. Not only do they keep your child feeling snug and secure but they also give you that peace of mind as you don't need to worry about a blanket going over their face when they are sleeping and they are certainly not going to get cold either. If you are pregnant or if you have a pregnant friend I can't recommend a sleeping bag enough, they are a must have.

Anyway, as you can tell before I was sent the Slumbersac Sleeping Bag with Feet I was already a fan of sleeping bags and did wonder how I would get on with it. Does it really need feet? Is this going to be one of those novelties? Well I had an open mind and I was looking forward to trying it out!

When it arrived first of all I noticed how soft, cosy and such good quality it was. I almost felt jealous that Noah was going to get to wear this at night, I wanted one! I chose the Teddy design as I thought it was super cute and would also be gender neutral for any future babies we may have. The Slumbersac Sleeping Bag comes in three different togs; 1.0, 2-2.5, 3.5 and also in sizes ranging from 12-18 months through to 3-4 years.

We have been testing this for a while now and I have to say it's now our go to sleeping bag. Not only is it the most comfortable for Noah to wear at night and his preference but the element of the feet holes is just genius. He's able to pop his legs out of the holes and toddle about with no wobbling, tripping or falling and this is such a clever idea for toddlers. I can tell that when this product was being drawn up that they really thought about what parents are looking for and what children need, it's excellent and I cannot fault it.

The Slumbersac Sleeping Bag with Feet retails from £19.99 depending on what tog you opt for. Not only is it great value for money but it's money well spent too!

- We were sent this product for the purpose of this review. However all opinions are my own.

My Sunday Photo - 42/52

Project 365 - Week 42 - 42/52

11th October - 17th October / Week 42

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I'm being a bit naughty here because I didn't actually take a photo on Sunday! 284 days into the year and I finally missed taking a photo, not bad going really! I thought I would make up for that by sharing this super cute photo of Nick and Noah. 

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Monday we had an easy going day just Noah and I. We visited the park and the shops. The sun kept popping through the clouds and when it did it was nice and warm but once it disappeared it went cold very quickly! (He turned 23 months old on Tuesday too - one month until he is 2!) 

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Tuesday was lots of fun for Noah and I. We did lots of crafting and baking and for one I felt like a perfect parent (ha!) First off we got the finger paints out to create some little masterpieces for family members. I wanted one for a leaving present for my sister from Noah (read more about that below.) After a quick clean up we got the play doh out and then it was nap time. Late afternoon we baked some shortbread together too. 

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On Wednesday Noah and I went over to visit my Mum, Sister and Brother. My little Sister (who's not so little, she's 19!) was emigrating to America on Thursday so we wanted to spend time with her before she left. We had such a great day together. We visited the park, had a rummage in some shops and just had an all round laugh. Every moment was so bitter sweet because I was just thinking about how she was leaving soon, how I don't know when I will see her again and how she will miss Noah growing up. It all leaves my heart feeling heavy but I'm also so happy for her because she is going to have such an amazing life over there and has met an incredible man too. Bitter sweet. 

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Thursday we had had a rough night sleep so we were both feeling grumpy so we had a lazy day playing and mucking about. I couldn't help but think of my little sister leaving for America too.

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My Noah when I went in to see him on Friday morning, little cherub.

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Saturday we took a short trip to the Trafford Centre were we went to the Sealife Centre. We were going to go to Legoland too as we have annual passes for both but we decided to cut our trip short as Noah was grumpy and tired and I had a banging headache. We paid a trip to Krispy Kreme and then visited family too.


What have you been up to this week?

Planning a Holiday with a Child

At this grey and miserable time of year everyone starts thinking about escaping to the sunshine and booking a holiday. When holidaying with a child there a lot of things to consider so it’s a good idea to start researching now for next year.

Location
Destination is a big decision. Is a long haul flight really a good idea? Where is child friendly? Will my child even remember the holiday? Sometimes if a baby is sleeping well, long haul flights aren’t a problem and many destinations which parents often think aren’t child friendly certainly are. Other parents prefer being safe in the knowledge that they only have a short flight to endure and look for explicitly family friendly resorts. It’s totally up to you.

Shorter Flights
A safe option is holidaying in the Canaries or the Balearic Islands. The Canary Islands are great as they are warm all year round so you’re sure to get the sun. If your child’s not yet at school you can go in school time and get the sun in the winter months. The Balearics are a shorter flight time of around two hours so are perfect but generally only warm between May and September so you have to head there in the summer months. Locations like Majorca, Lanzarote and Tenerife are all really child friendly and have plenty of family resorts.

Long Haul
If you fancy going somewhere more exotic try going long haul. Take the Maldives for example, usually thought of as a honeymooner’s paradise but can be perfect with children. Many couples have had amazing vacations there with a child as the people are so friendly and welcoming to children. As young children sleep a lot anyway don’t worry about having little to do and having to keep them entertained. They’ll love all the beautiful colours and can paddle in the crystal clear waters next to tropical fish and be really stimulated by the beautiful colours. ITC Luxury Travel have some amazing resorts there which mean you get a fabulous vacation without having to worry about leaving your child at home.

There are amazing facilities for children at many luxurious destinations so do your research first. If you child’s getting a bit older and needs more entertainment, considering a closer location resort with a kids club is a really good idea as it means you’ll get some peace too. Happy holidays!

4 Ways To Help Your Family Sleep Better

People don’t often spend too much time thinking about sleep; it’s just that thing everyone does at the end of the day. However, sleep is incredibly important for proper brain and body functioning, and not having enough can also affect the people around you. I often struggle when it comes to sleep - it can be such a struggle switching off and relaxing at the end of a busy day. I have found the supplements from Olly Sleep UK a great inclusion to my bedtime routine - helping me drift into a peaceful sleep. If you find sleep challenging, below are some additional tips to get both you and your family sleeping better.

1. Soft bedding

Bedding, pillows, and blankets can all have an effect on you and your family’s sleeping habits as they are the items that dictate your comfort level while sleeping (and getting to sleep). For ultimate comfort, you can’t go past wool products. This includes pillows and doona covers, as well as a mattress topper on everyone’s bed to provide some added cushioning.

2. Sleep Environment

Bedrooms can often get overrun with clutter, as everyone wants to personalise their individual space, particularly children. However, they should actually be about walking into an inviting area that promotes rest and calm. Too many pictures on the walls, and boxes, clothes, and toys shoved into every corner make for an anxious and constricted environment, and can even cause hygiene problems. For instance, pests are attracted to large messes, and a bedroom floor covered in clutter could see you dealing with rodents or insects. Consequently, the need for a company like IA Aptive Pest Control to handle an infestation becomes more likely. Think about including some new storage solutions to hide clutter. Keep wall colours neutral, but incorporate colour through accessories such as quilt covers. Have dimmable lighting and avoid incorporating technology such as computers and televisions.

3. Healthy Habits

For a start, getting plenty of exercise and eating a balanced diet is what your body needs to function properly, and this also impacts how well it can sleep. Make sure your family gets at least 30 minutes every day, even if it’s just taking the dog for a walk together or going to the park. Also, get in the habit of slowing down your activities and technology use before bedtime. For example, put away the phones and laptops, dim the lights with some soft music, or sit down and read a book together. Focus on activities that will allow you to wind down.

4. Have Routine

To improve sleep patterns for your family, you have to address everyone’s current sleep routines and decide what can be improved. A big one is making sure each person has a bedtime, even the grown-ups. Getting into a routine of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day creates consistency with sleep, which is what your body needs to ensure it gets the right amount of rest. Not having a sleep routine confuses your body, as it’s not sure when it’s shut-down time, meaning you and your kids are more likely to have interrupted sleep and find yourself more tired during the day.

Busy lifestyles are the name of the game for families these days, so it’s easy to forget about how important sleep is to everyone’s health. Incorporating some of the above tips into your household will not only have everyone sleeping better, but will also help you be happier and healthier in the process.

Balancing online learning as a stay-at-home parent

With online learning becoming increasingly popular, more and more stay-at-home parents are turning to the internet to return to education. If the thought of taking online classes and caring for your children at the same time seems impossible, read on for some top tips on how you can perfect being a great parent and yet still accomplish your academic goals.


Choose the right time to study

It’s important to choose your study time wisely. If you’re looking to learn during the day, planning fun activities for your kids will keep them occupied while you concentrate, or you could also use nap time as the perfect opportunity to catch up on your course material. However, studying once your youngsters have headed to bed also has its advantages. Settling down at the end of the day to get on with your learning will mean you can benefit from a quiet house with fewer distractions. You’ll even find that some online learning websites, such as http://www.ool.co.uk/, are flexible in offering tutor assistance during evenings and weekends. This means you won’t be stuck for support if you choose to do your homework after hours.


Keep your kids in the loop

If your children are of a suitable age, it might be an idea to explain to them the importance of your studies. In helping them understand, they may be more respectful and aware of your time and space around the house while you learn. You might even want to involve your children. For example, while you’re doing your homework you could set them their own tasks and activities to complete. In a calm and serious manner, make it clear to your kids how important your studies are to you.


Don’t be afraid to ask for help

If you’re struggling to find harmony between being a parent and an academic, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether your children spend the afternoon with a neighbour or a family member cares for them a couple days out of the week, you may find accepting the help of others makes it a lot easier for you to keep up with your schooling. While you may feel guilty in doing so, welcoming assistance can be beneficial for both you and your children. You’ll be able to focus fully on your learning while your kids will be out of the house enjoying a change of environment.


By adopting some of these simple tips, you should be able to find a way to juggle your parenting duties while also broadening your knowledge with online learning.


- This is a guest post