MumUnplugged

Wow…it’s the 13th of January today. How did that happen? Blogging has taken a bit of a back seat over the last five weeks while we dealt with Christmas, New Year,and some other pretty tough stuff. 2010 got off to a less than ideal start for me as I found myself back in hospital for a second evacuation of my womb, the first procedure and subsequent course of drugs having failed to get rid of everything. On the plus side, for the first time since I became a mum,on New Year’s Eve I got to have a late night, a few drinks and then spend the entire next day in bed. Every cloud eh?

Since all this happened I have been buoyed up by the love of my wonderful husband, the smiles and crazy antics of my luminous son and the support and TLC of my friends, including a few who took time to share their own experiences making me realise that we are not alone - a notion that is both comforting and sad at once. And yes, we have been very sad, and we will never forget the baby we lost, but I feel quite strongly now that we need to move on and that I am ready to wipe the slate clean and begin again.

I’m not a great believer in New Year’s resolutions, because I always resolve to lose weight and eat healthily and I never make it past Easter because the lure of Creme Eggs always gets the better of me. But this year we do have some goals and some things to look forward to and so I thought I would paint myself a picture of what I hope our 2010 will look like, in the hope that I’ll look back in 12 months’ time and realise that we achieved what we set out to do. So in my ideal 2010 we will…

…complete and move into our new house which has caused no end of heartache but is shaping up to be more than worth it.

…conceive our third child and maybe even get to meet him or her before the year is out.

…go to the cinema and out for dinner more often, just the two of us.

…put an office in the new house so I have a space from which to launch my fab new freelance career

…walk the dogs more often.

…enjoy Bubs and try to commit every second to memory because he is growing up too fast.

…remember that we are blessed, that life is short, and try to seize the day instead of always planning for the future (even though that is a very sensible and grown-up thing to do).

And I think that’s enough for one year. Although I will be trying to lose some weight and eat healthily! A belated happy New Year to you all.

When we woke up this morning the world was smothered in white; a thick blanket of snow - the most we’ve had in a long, long time - had covered everything.  Things look different on snowy mornings.  Everything looks clean and new, the mundane becomes beautiful under a glittering veil of brilliant, sparkly white.  Before long the stillness was pierced by the sound of excited little ones playing, throwing snowballs and making snow people of all shapes and sizes, leaving their little footprints all over the place.  We wrapped Bubs in about 12 layers of clothing and, wearing tiny red wellies that used to be mine, he made his first foray out into the snow.  It was so deep it was over the top of his boots in places and he couldn’t really walk in it but he had a great time, throwing snowballs for the dogs, watching Daddy’s attempts to build a snowman from the powdery white stuff and laughing at the sheer delight of it all.  Laughter is the best medicine.

It hasn’t been an easy week.  We had the second scan which showed our tiny baby, floating inside me, its little heart conspicuously still, a small ghost on the screen.  The next day I went to hospital and by that evening I was home again, just me, no passengers on board.  In many ways it was a relief; my pregnancy symptoms disappeared straight away and physically I hope I’ll be back to normal soon.  My head might take a little longer.

Over the years, through thick and thin, I’ve learned that life is an unstoppable juggernaut, relentless in its going forward.  No time to stand and stare.  Sometimes the going forward is painful, we want to stop, wait, contemplate, grieve.  But life goes on and it carries us with it like twigs in a stream, and as we are swept along somehow, inexplicably and without our noticing, our wounds begin to heal.  And so we are letting life carry us just now; forwards to Christmas with our shining-eyed boy and his endless chatter about Santa, forwards to a new year filled with new challenges, new adventures, filled with dreams and with hope.

I’ve been planning the blog post I was going to write today for a while now.  It was going to be a lovely surprise for most of you, accompanied by a fuzzy ‘alien in a snowstorm’ ultrasound picture.

We went for our 12-week scan yesterday, full of excitement and tentative talk about baby names, to be told that there was a ‘problem’ with the pregnancy.  ‘What sort of problem?’ we asked.  ‘I can’t see a baby,’ replied the consultant.  Problem indeed.  In one split second my excitement at seeing our unborn child for the first time became a slow motion nightmare as I was asked to remove my jeans and underwear for an internal scan.  I felt weirdly calm - even cracked a joke as the doctor thoughtfully applied a Durex Gossamer condom to the probe.  How hideously ironic.  Was stoic as she uttered those immortal words: ‘it’s just one of those things, you didn’t do anything wrong’.  Asked the right questions - what now?  Left, dry-eyed, explained to the midwife on the way out that things didn’t go as planned.  Stepped through the green automatic doors on the way to the car park.  Fell apart - still falling.

Why did this happen - when? How?  Why did my body not let me know that our baby died, or rather that it never lived?  How can I still have sore breasts, a swollen tummy, a pathological urge to sleep and eat and pee at every opportunity?  Why is nature playing this cruel joke on me, on us?  Now we begin a six-day wait for a second scan to confirm what we already know, followed by God knows what kind of procedure to do the job my body didn’t.  In the meantime, we have to tell the people we already let in on our little secret - foolish, some might say, but I’m glad they knew.  I’m glad we had all acknowledged and anticipated this baby, this little coulda-woulda-shoulda been person, the one my body still thinks it’s carrying.  Because even though it never really was, we loved it and we need to mourn its loss with the same people who would have shared our joy if things had turned out differently.

Here is a post I began the day after I found out I was pregnant.  I should probably just delete it but it feels wrong, somehow, so I thought I’d share it anyway.

Yesterday we had some very exciting news.  The kind of news that makes you run downstairs barefoot with your dressing gown flying behind you.  The kind that makes you fling your arms around your husband, telling him what’s happened without saying a word.  The kind that makes your toddler crack up with laughter at mummy jumping around squealing like a weirdo.  The kind that means life has just changed forever.  I’m pregnant!

After I did a second test just to make sure, we all flopped on the sofa with cups of tea and a pile of hot, buttered pancakes in our normal lazy Sunday breakfast routine.  Truth be known we were watching X Factor on Sky+ from the night before and as I watched Bubs boogying in his seat to the music, I was almost swept away by my emotions.  We have been wanting this, planning this, for a while now.  And I am so thrilled to be pregnant again - I love the thought that another baby is safely snuggled up inside me, that special secret knowledge of the precious cargo I’m carrying.  The size of an apple pip and we love it already.  But in amongst the joy was some sadness; guilt that Bubs will have to share me with another child, sadness that the time when it’s ‘just us’ is drawing to an end, worry over how my heart will hold the same amount of love for another little person, over how I’ll cope with two - especially on the days when one feels like more than enough!

That small boy wiggling his butt on the sofa has lit up my life from within.  I never knew what love really was until I loved him.  The exhilarating, terrifying, life-affirming experience of the ‘first’ child; how we have despaired in the dead of night when he would not sleep, how we have been awestruck by first smiles, first words, first steps.  How we have learned, together, what it really means to be a family of parents and child.  And now there’s going to be another one.  Three will become four and I don’t doubt that everything we thought we knew about parenthood will change too.

It’s scary and it’s wonderful and I can’t quite believe it’s really happening.

There are lots of things people don’t tell you about breastfeeding when you’re new to it. They don’t tell you about the toe-curling 10 seconds at the start of a feed, about the mortification of telltale wet patches on your t-shirt, or about the days when it feels like all you’ve done all day long is breastfeed. And they definitely don’t tell you that when you need quick, discreet access to your boobs at any given moment, it’s a blimmin’ nightmare finding things to wear.

After the birth of my son, I surprised myself by fitting back into my jeans pretty quickly - but that was where the ’snapping back’ began and ended.  With a pair of huge, overinflated milk tanks strapped to my chest I hadn’t a single non maternity top that would fit, never mind flatter.  Shopping for new clothes was a nightmare - anything I could find that didn’t emphasise my flabby ‘mummy tummy’ didn’t have access for feeding, or vice versa.  Add a couple of summer weddings into the mix and I was officially in fashion hell!

Over the 12 months that I breastfed, I did come up with some top tips for dressing when you’re feeding, without looking like a frumpy matron and without flashing your flesh to all and sundry every time the baby needs a snack…

1.  A good nursing bra

I know I’ve said this before but a good bra really is the foundation of any outfit, even when you’re breastfeeding.  Good support will lift and shape your breasts, making you look slimmer and feel more confident - so don’t be fobbed off with the flimsy ‘trainer bra’ styles offered by many retailers, especially if you’ve got bigger boobs.  For everyday, I really loved Emma Jane bras when I was feeding, although I’ve recently heard great things about Freya as well.  As well as good support it’s important that you can open and close the bra cups easily and discreetly, and that the openings give good access so your baby can latch on properly.

2.  Breastfeeding vests and camisoles

After a good bra a selection of breastfeeding vests and tank tops is my number one must have for a breastfeeding mum.  My main concern when breastfeeding in public wasn’t really exposing my breasts - it was exposing my saggy, post-baby belly, and having a vest with nursing clips or a double layer tank top was a perfect solution as I didn’t have to lift it up to feed.  Depending on your personal style you can throw pretty much anything over the top - add a cute, fine-knit cardigan and sweet pumps for a classic, preppy look; throw on a check shirt and cowboy boots for a practical, dressed down feel or team with a skirt and fitted jacket for a more formal occasion.  I preferred to wear things that buttoned down the front for really easy access but anything fairly loose over the top will work.  If you do wear a jumper or even a t-shirt, the double layer tanks that you pop your boob through are probably easier than the ones with clips - too ugly to wear alone but super-convenient underneath other clothing.  And speaking of the ones with clips, next time around I am definitely buying one of these - complete with a full, built in bra and plenty of elasticated support for wobbly bellies.

3.  Dresses

When I was shopping for the aforementioned summer weddings, it never even occured to me that I might find a dress I could breastfeed in, so I opted for a skirt/vest/cardigan combo (which worked fine), but since then I’ve realised that it’s possible to buy specially made nursing wrap dresses with concealed access at the front.  There’s a very good reason why Diane Von Furstenburg got rich selling wrap dresses - they really can take you anywhere!  Dress up with heels and costume jewellery for an evening out, wear black for work or team with leggings, pumps and this season’s shrunken denim jacket for instant daytime cool - a definite investment piece.

4.  Pattern and colour

Colour and pattern are more important than you think when choosing your breastfeeding wardrobe.  When buying foundation garments like bras and tank tops it’s best to choose staples such as black, white and nude as these can be teamed with many other garments to form the basis of a capsule wardrobe.  These colours can be troublesome if worn on their own, however - white tends to be translucent which means that at best, people will see your breast pads, and at worst your boobs will leak rendering it totally see-through, while black is notorious for showing up milk stains and baby sick!  For this reason I tried to make sure my outer layer was a more forgiving colour or pattern - so a white tank under a stripy cardigan, for example.  Wearing colour is also a great way to lift your complexion, making you look and feel better even if you’re surviving on two hours’ sleep a night.

5.  Accessories

Whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, never underestimate the power of accessories.  Maternity and nursing wear have come a long way but let’s face it, they’re hardly haute couture - and when practicality is your top priority, sometimes style has to take a back seat!  Even the simplest of outfits can be brought to life with accessories and my all time favourite has to be the chunky necklace.  A bold necklace can turn a simple jeans and t-shirt combination into something considerably more trendy, and if like me your lactating breasts rivalled the size of your head, it can also help to play down their size.  For older babies, a chunky necklace is perfect for fiddling with as they feed, and this can help with a distractible feeder (of course, be careful they can’t pull bits off).  A trendy scarf or pashmina is also a great accessory that can be worn all year round and doubles up as a handy cover-up if you need one.  I must admit I steered away from statement earrings when I was breastfeeding as they got caught on everything and as Bubs got older they were just begging to be yanked.  I also loved wearing chunky bracelets and bangles but found it best to wear ones that could be easily switched from one wrist to the other depending on which side I was feeding from - otherwise poor Bubs would end up with an impression of my jewellery in the back of his wee head!  My final tip would be to invest in a gorgeous, oversized handbag - as a breastfeeding mum you don’t need to carry loads of ’stuff’ around with you - just a few nappies, some wipes and a muslin - so make the most of it!  I bought one of these travel changing mats from OiOi and slotted it into a big, buttery leather handbag (granted, not the Mulberry one I really wanted) and for me this was a practical, stylish solution.  If you really can’t survive without a nappy bag, make sure you pick a cool one that speaks to your personal style - remember, the bag is for you, not your baby!  M&P do some nice ones, I am a big fan of SkipHop and even Next have got in on the act.

Having a baby is an expensive business.  From state-of-the-art buggies and luxury cot beds to nappies, endless clothes and mountains of toys, the spending starts before the baby is even born and continues, well…let’s just say I’m not hopeful of having any spare cash anytime soon.

The good news is that all those companies out there that manufacture ‘must haves’ for mums and babies know they’re operating in a competitive market and need to win mums over by hook or by crook, which means only one thing - freebies!  Many of the big baby brands have their own ‘clubs’ offering free stuff and perks for parents, while other companies offer free samples of their products, allowing you to try before you buy.  I’ve trawled the web looking for UK freebies, and here’s what I came up with…

1.  Pampers Village - sign up and they’ll send you £4 worth of coupons plus email newsletters pertinent to your stage of pregnancy or your baby’s age.  The site also has lots of interesting information and articles, mummy blogs and forums where you can discuss your experiences of pregnancy and parenting.

2.  Huggies Club - receive £2 off any pack of Huggies nappies when you join.  The website is also packed with information for mums-to-be, mums and even dads and there are loads of great competitions to enter.  At the Huggies Pull-Ups site you can also request a free DVD to help with potty training.

3.  Emma’s Diary - one for the expectant mums, you’ll receive a copy of Emma’s Diary from your midwife but if you register online you’ll get stage-appropriate goody bags (pick up from Boots or Lloyds Pharmacy)  including £40 of Argos vouchers, sample products and more. The website is packed with info including foetal development, baby names, budgeting and more!

4. Bounty - the original and still the best, Bounty offers packs for every stage of your pregnancy from your first visit to the midwife, through to the birth and beyond. Each pack is stuffed with free samples, money-off vouchers and information and if you register online you’ll also receive email updates and details of special offers in conjunction with Bounty partners.

5.  Boots Parenting Club - join to receive regular voucher packs and double Advantage Card points on certain baby brands.  You can also get a free changing bag when you register and purchase Pampers New Baby or Active Fit nappies.

6.  Lansinoh - a lifesaver for all breastfeeding mums, the Lansinoh website has answers to lots of common questions and you can register to receive free samples of their breast pads and milk storage bags.  No free Lansinoh cream though, as they quite rightly want you to discuss any discomfort with your midwife first.

7.  Johnson’s Baby Naturals - just fill in your details for a free sample of this moisturiser!  It’s actually a really nice cream and didn’t irritate Bubs’ normally sensitive skin.

8. Hipp Baby Club - register to receive free baby food samples, money off vouchers, and a free weaning pack including recipes, bib and feeding spoon. Also stage-appropriate emails. I found some of the info they provided really helpful when it came to weaning!

9. Bepanthen - love this nappy cream and if you visit their website you can try it yourself! They will send you a fairly tiny sample but it’s enough to gauge whether it’s suitable for your baby’s skin - and I think it makes a difference to nappy rash even after one application.

10. The rest! In many ways I feel so passionate about breastfeeding that I don’t want to link to formula companies but it has to be said that most of them offer treats for new mums. So if you do register at the following clubs my advice would be to throw the powdered milk samples in the bin, and keep the other stuff - such as the pregnancy diary and cuddly cow on offer at Cow & Gate, the cuddly polar bear available from Aptamil and the free muslin cloth and magnetic photo frame from SMA.

Of course there are loads of other offers and free things available online but I felt these ones would be of interest to the majority of mums. If there are any real gems I’ve missed then please let me know!

In the UK as of March 2009 many over the counter remedies that had helped parents and children navigate the minefield of winter coughs, colds and sniffles were branded ‘bad’ for children - some reported dangerous, others simply labelled as ‘ineffective’. Many of these medicines had been tried and trusted by mums for years, offering relief from fever, cough and congestion and helping everyone get a better nights’ sleep whenever the dreaded lurgy came to stay.

But the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) ruled earlier this year that over 100 products were to be banned for under sixes due to the potential risk of sleep disturbance, hallucinations and allergic reactions.  The decision followed an earlier report in March 2008 recommending that certain over-the-counter medicines were unsuitable for under-twos following a number of overdose cases in the United States.

Now I’ll be the first to admit that if I thought any drug was a risk to my child’s health I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole, but to me this is yet another example of a nanny state gone mad. When this ruling was made, it was agreed that products need not be removed from shelves - many were still available to buy in supermarkets for some time afterwards. Furthermore, product labelling was unaffected at the time and many of the products to this day still feature dosage information for under sixes, and even under twos.  Are these medicines, then, really not safe for young children?  Or is it just that in today’s society mothers can’t be trusted to follow simple instructions and not to dope their own children?  Are the sins of the few causing the punishment of the many?

In America, the same studies were looked at but regulatory bodies stopped short of banning the products from being used in under sixes, because they feared this would lead to parents giving their children adult cough and cold remedies instead. In the UK, it has already resulted in parents lying to pharmacists about their child’s age, and here in Northern Ireland, of parents travelling across the border to obtain medicines that have been banned in the north, with some ‘mummy mules’ even buying in bulk for friends and family. But if you’ve ever spent the whole night consoling an unwell, exhausted child who can’t sleep due to a blocked nose and hacking cough, you’ll understand why they do it.

Anyway I digress. Since this ban came in Bubs has had one or two colds, and in fact we are currently in the middle of a snotfest that’s been rumbling pretty much since the new school term started in September. And during that time I’ve come across some tips, tricks and remedies that have helped us all to breathe easier, without partaking in any illegal activity - and here they are!

Humidifier

I shied away from buying a humidifier for ages because they’re not cheap and I was undecided as to whether it would actually help. One night of using the thing convinced me that they definitely work and now I would recommend anybody with young kids to invest in a decent one - the moist air means your child’s nose will be less stuffy and dry, tickly coughs are soothed. There are three types of humidifier - warm (often known as a vapouriser), cold and ultrasonic. The warm steam variety is not recommended for use in children’s rooms because of the obvious burn risks. Cold and ultrasonic humidifiers essentially do the same job but the ultrasonic produces a finer mist and is a lot quieter, so we went for this option. It does still emit a low hum but I find that this doesn’t disturb Bubs at all - in fact I sometimes wonder if he in fact finds the white noise soothing. A final point about humidifiers; it’s really important to keep them clean and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for doing so. This prevents a buildup of minerals and bacteria within the unit, which would then potentially be pumped into the air, possibly doing more harm than good.  Ours is easily cleaned with a solution of water and white vinegar which kills bacteria and removes mineral deposits.

Pillow

At 17 months Bubs is still a bit young for a pillow and doesn’t like using one.  I do, however, place a low pillow under the head end of his mattress when he is unwell.  This raises him up a bit, making it easier for him to breathe and reducing his cough.  You can also place chunky books under the cot legs at one end, but I find the pillow works better as it raises his head moreso than simply having him sleep on a slope.

Olbas Oil

I don’t rate Vicks at all really because I don’t think the vapours are strong enough to do any good, especially not when applied to the chest under pyjamas and a sleeping bag, but Olbas Oil is my saviour.  I sprinkle a few drops on a muslin cloth tied securely to the bars of the cot.  This combined with the humidifier fills the room with a vapoury mist that tackles a blocked nose brilliantly.

Saline drops

Such a simple remedy but saline drops are great for thinning nose gunk, making it easier to remove, and I recently found that the people at Calpol make a saline nasal spray that’s really easy to administer as it gets right into the nostril and clears out all the crap.  It’s a really fine spray and Bubs doesn’t mind having it in at all, which is practically a miracle considering he hates me wiping his nose the way cats hate water.  If you’ve got a super-placid kid you can also buy a ‘nasal aspirator’ -  a posh name for what we have affectionately dubbed ‘the snot sucker’ - to remove mucus but I gave up trying to get Bubs to submit to this ages ago and am working on teaching him to blow his wee nose instead.

Medicine

Thankfully, the powers that be didn’t ban the use of paracetamol (Calpol) or indeed ibuprofen (Nurofen) for little ones and I rely on both of these to relieve cold symptoms.  Calpol is fine for minor grumbles but the Nurofen is my favourite - it works quickly, keeps a fever down for longer and tastes nicer.  Plus it’s got a really handy dosing syringe that fits into the cap for mess-free dosing when your eyes are stuck shut at 3am.  If your child has a cough you can give a simple cough medicine of honey and lemon or glycerol although these are mainly aimed at soothing tickly coughs and sore throats.

The MHRA were right when they said that colds and coughs are generally self-limiting conditions that improve with rest and TLC, and hopefully these tips will help you get a bit more of the former while you wait for them to pass.  However, if you are at all worried about your child’s health or if symptoms persist for more than a few days, you should of course consult your GP.

This post is part of the October Carnival of Breastfeeding, with the topic ‘what I wish I’d known’ - scroll to the bottom for more great posts laden with lessons learned the hard way! Image courtesy of Paula O’Hara Photography.

Wow. 22 hours of labour and an emergency c-section later, there I was, breastfeeding.  Easy, I thought, this kid knows what he’s doing, right?  Wrong!  I wish I’d known that breastfeeding was something me and my baby would both have to learn.

Oh dear God, the pain.  Are my nipples actually on fire?  No, it’s just the baby latching on.  If I just sit here and grit my teeth maybe I can push through.  Big mistake!  I wish I’d known that a good latch really IS the most important part of breastfeeding.

This kid is starving.  I think I can actually see him wasting away before my very eyes.  I’ve fed him over and over again but he’s still rooting, screaming, desperate to nurse.  Maybe I don’t have enough milk; maybe it’s not good enough?  I wish I’d known that growth spurts are a necessary part of breastfeeding, that they DO pass and that if you just keep feeding, the milk will come!

I’ve not had a decent night’s sleep in months.  Still feeding every 2-3 hours.  People tell me the baby goes to bed too early, needs some solid food or is just ‘comfort sucking’.  I’m tired but feeding in the night still feels right; should I listen to them?  I wish I’d learned to trust my mothering instincts sooner.

Jeez.  It’s been six whole months.  We’re weaning now, it’s fun.  But I love, love, love breastfeeding; the closeness, the satisfaction of those chubby thighs and rounded cheeks, the sense of achievement.  I wish I’d known right from the start that one day it would feel this good.

One year.  A party, presents – a nasty bout of tonsillitis and an unexpected refusal to nurse.  I planned on stopping gently, to make it easier on us both.  Now it’s over and I feel lost, in need of a new way to connect with this amazing being I have created, nourished all this time.  I wish I’d known how quickly time would fly.

Massachussetts Friends of Midwives: What I wish I’d know back then about breastfeeding
Lucy & Ethel Have a Baby: If I’d Known Then
Momma’s Angel: My list for next time
Breastfeeding Moms Unite: You don’t have to grin and bear it
Birth Activist: What I wish I would have known about breastfeeding
Three Girl Pile Up: Four things I wish I’d known about breastfeeding
Happy Bambino: I wish I’d known…that it wasn’t up to me alone
Edenwild: What I wish I’d known then - a poem
Hobomama: AP principle #2: What I wish I’d known…
The Milk Mama: When breastfeeding begins badly (and what I should have done about it)
Fancy Pancakes: Breastfeeding - wish I’d heard more good things!
Breastfeeding Mums: 15 facts I wish I’d known as a first time breastfeeding mum
Cave Mother: Nursing Wisdom
Blisstree: Trust Yourself and your body
Blacktating: Breastfeeding is life-changing

I stumbled across this recently while scouring the web for inspiration on giving the site a bit of a makeover. Made both me and the Hubber laugh so I thought I’d share - clearly this guy’s experience was a very watered down version of what childbirth is really like (not much point saying you’ve had enough when there’s a PERSON forcing its way out of you) but it was nice to hear a man finally admit that it’s bloody hard!

When it comes to gadgets and technology, I normally can’t be bothered. Don’t get me wrong; I can see why people invest their money in swanky TVs, games consoles, surround sound systems, satellite navigation and all the other high tech accoutrements we’re led to believe we can’t live without. It’s just that when it comes to parting with my own hard-earned cash I’d rather have a new pair of shoes than an iPod any day of the week.
But my techno apathy has recently been ambushed - nay, seduced - by a slinky, sexy, multifunctioning piece of kit. Yes, folks, I’m having a torrid affair…with my iPhone.
Seriously, I’m not sure what I did before I had this phone. How did I cope in the days when I couldn’t go on Twitter while waiting for a lift, or check my emails in the middle of a shopping centre? The folks at Apple aren’t lying when they say there’s an app for almost anything - and I’ve discovered that there are quite a few that are either specifically aimed at mums and mums-to-be or are simply damned handy when you’ve got little ones to amuse. Here are some of my favourites:

1. What To Expect (Free)

When I was pregnant with Bubs I was obsessed with tracking the progress of my pregnancy week by week, reading about what size the baby was, which body parts were developing and what it was doing in the womb. Brought to you by the same people who wrote the iconic book, ‘What to Expect when you’re Expecting’, this app Expecting allows you to chart your pregnancy through each amazing trimester, offering tips and hints for dealing with the many challenges of growing a human in your belly! You can even add your own belly pics to keep track of your growing bump.

2. Contraction Master (£0.59)

Timing contractions can be a right pain in the butt and if, like me, you’re rubbish at maths it’s easy to lose track of the frequency and duration - especially when you’re concentrating on breathing. Contraction Master is an easy-as-pie way to time your labour pains; simply tap to start and again to stop, and it does the rest. Designed by Americans with their super-efficient private healthcare system in mind, you can even package the info up and send it via email.

3. Baby Namer (currently free)

A close second to obsessing about the baby’s development during my pregnancy was daydreaming about what we were going to call him or her. I bought baby name books, trawled the internet and drove everyone nuts going over and over the various options. Baby Namer is a fun way to find out the meaning of names, their popularity over the last century or so and most importantly, how they will sit with your surname!

4. Baby Log (£2.99)

Before I became I mum I didn’t understand the meaning of the word tired and had no idea just how muddled the sleep-deprived mind can become. Short of writing on my boobs with a biro I couldn’t figure out a way to remember which side I’d last fed Bubs from and I couldn’t remember my own name, never mind the length of his last nap. Baby Log lets you keep track of all your baby’s activities, whether it’s eating or sleeping, baths or even your own custom categories. You can the export the data and view the week’s activity all at once - a good way to spot emerging patterns and begin laying the foundations of a routine.

5. Sleepy Baby (£0.59)

Babies love low frequency noise; it recreates the atmosphere of the womb and helps them to tune out the chaos of life in the big wide world and drop off to sleep. Sleepy Baby offers a selection of ‘white noise’ sounds including a heartbeat, a fan and a vacuum cleaner - perfect if you’re on the go with a fractious baby who’s having trouble getting off to sleep!

6. Babyphone (£2.39)

Turn your iPhone into a baby monitor with this genius app - great for travel if you forget your normal monitor. Just plug your phone in, add a phone number and adjust the volume settings, then turn the app on and place it next to your sleeping baby. When iPhone hears your baby wake up, it will call the designated number and let you listen in.

7. Look Baby! (Free)

A personal favourite of Bubs, Look Baby! offers a number of simple games perfect for little fingers. He loves to tickle the teddy and listen to his giggles, as well as shaking the multicoloured shapes. This game is a lifesaver in boring situations like waiting at the supermarket checkout or on car journeys.

7. Blowfish (Free)

Another game that’s fun for Bubs and for me - you touch and hold the screen to start the blowfish growing, avoiding the prickly sea urchins that will make them go pop! The object of the game is to fill the screen with blowfish but Bubs loves the sound they make when they burst so we never get past level three!

8. Hatch! (Free)

A simple game for little hands - tap the egg repeatedly until it cracks open, revealing a cute character and prompting your little one to learn the animals’ names.

9. Bumblebee Touchbook (£0.59)

Bubs is already a real bookworm like his mummy and this interactive storybook app is a great distraction in waiting rooms or just when he needs some time out from causing chaos around the house. You can watch a short animation and touch the characters to see them come to life or have the page read aloud. Too cool.

10. YouTube (pre-installed)

Last but definitely not least is YouTube. This means that anywhere we can get wireless broadband we can get entire episodes of Bubs’ favourite TV shows (namely Peppa Pig and In The Night Garden) on demand. We use it to eke out weekend lie-ins, stop tantrums and generally distract him when nothing else works - it’s part of my parenting emergency kit.

Now if only I could find a cure for my iPhone addiction.  There’s no app for that.

I had an email from the lovely folks at Cosatto yesterday offering me a sneaky peek at some of their new products for 2010.  I really like the Cosatto brand because their stuff is funky, great quality and doesn’t come with a hideous price tag!  Ever since I found out I was pregnant with Bubs I’ve had a weird pushchair fetish so it goes without saying that I’ve been drooling over the new Cabi in this fabtastic violet shade.
It works as a travel system with the car seat (available separately) and has the option of pram or pushchair mode as well as having an improved cosy toes to make it extra snuggly this winter.
I’m also loving their new 3-in-1 cotbeds which convert from cot to toddler bed to daybed as your child grows, and in keeping with my other baby gear fetish, I’m swooning over the Noodle highchair and wishing that it had been available when I was buying one - so many currently on the market seem to offer either good looks or practicality, but not both.  Ah well, there’s always the next baby!  (Don’t tell the Hubber I said that though, OK?)