Welcome to babyworld news August 2005

You're successful at your job, so motherhood will be a breeze, right? Not necessarily. On that life-changing day when you are handed that helpless little person, a new line is added to your CV: Mum. With your new title come new job responsibilities, very different from those of "business woman." The question is, how will you cope? Will you have the same confidence as a mum that you had as a business woman? Will you lose your old self and miss the control you once had? Can you see past the bathing, burping, changing, feeding and worrying to make the transition from working full time to full-time motherhood? Of course you will! All those years spent in the workplace will not go to waste now you're at home with your baby. You have gained a wonderful range of transferable skills which can be put to good use in your most important job ever - as a mum! Brush up your baby business skills and read From manager to mum.

Happy parenting and have a good month!

News from the babyworld shop team

Happy Birthday to us! Babyworld is awash with birthdays this month - Xander and Finn (our chief product testers) are one, our newest babyworld boy, Josh, was born two weeks ago AND the babyworld shop is one year old and going strong thanks to you. So, come to the party and help us celebrate with some of the amazing offers in our special Big Birthday Sale section. There are car seats, infant carriers, buggies, shoes, toys and cuddly friends - gifty things and necessities with more products being added all the time! But hurry, it's only while stocks last or until 31st August.

Travel essentials for mums-to-be
Whether you're visiting seaside resorts or experiencing more tropical climates, travelling when you're pregnant takes some extra planning and care. If you're planning a journey for business or pleasure, read on to find out everything you need to know about travelling with 'bump'.

Pregnant this summer
When you are pregnant the climbing temperatures are only matched by your levels of discomfort as the summer heat exacerbates the normal symptoms of pregnancy. Read on for ideas on how you can make August more bearable for you and your bump.

Favourite family destinations
Your right of passage as a parent is a visit to at least one of these family favourites - Disneyland Paris, Centerparcs and Legoland! Babyworlders have visited all three and reported back with tips and advice to make your trip go with a swing!

Sun sense for families
Through the summer months at home or holidaying in sun-drenched lands, some simple measures will ensure that you and your family can get the most from the sunshine without worrying about the risks.

Tips for travelling with small children - learned the hard way!
Travelling with a young family can be either a nice experience or a nightmare, depending on how well you plan. We've compiled a list of top tips from babyworld members, parenting experts and holiday and travel companies to help you get the most out of your holiday from the moment it starts!

Family days out
What can you do to keep the children busy this summer - here are some suggestions! Plus you can save £1.50 on our Special offer with Days Out magazine which has £700 worth of money-off vouchers.

Hot threads

Great days out recommended by babyworld mums
Big brother - poor Eugene!
Premmie baby - where can I find small shoes?
Are Bumbo seats any good?
Teething - what's normal?
Anyone given birth alone?

The Big test this month

Beach pods
This month we pass the power to our fantastic, product-savvy parent panel - a group of air stewardesses from Middlesex who have babies between 9-15 months. They've been thoroughly testing the latest beach pods.

New! New! New!

Take a look at these new sections which offer even more!

Expert advice
Our experts have been busy revising and updating the 1000s of questions that you have asked over the years. Our new database will make it quicker and easier for you to find answers to nearly all your parenting queries and concerns.

Product tests
Our product testing section is growing by the minute and many of you have kindly added your comments to our ever-increasing portfolio of product reviews. It's great to hear about your experiences and it's also invaluable reading material for other parents who are looking for guidance on what and what not to buy!

This month Finn (one of our Chief Product testers) has tested the Snazzy Baby Knee Pads and the V-Tech Pooh Goes to School learning toy. He's a huge fan of Pooh bear so the toy was a big hit and the knee pads are ideal for preventing dry, red knees as he's crawling everywhere!See what else we have been testing this month:

• Beach pods
• Happy nappy swim nappy - good for regular swimmers
• Pooh Goes to School - interactive learning toy
• Snazzy baby knee pads - for mobile babies!
• The Marco Sky - a lightweight umbrella-fold tandem
• BT digital monitor - an 'all singing all dancing' monitor

Win! Win! Win!

Win a digital camera worth £149.99
Snapfish.co.uk has teamed up with babyworld to give away an HP R707 digital camera worth £149.99 plus 20 personalised photo mugs worth £7.99. Click here to enter.

Win a Babysonic Doppler worth £150
The personal Doppler is not only a great way for you to bond with your baby before birth but also the rest of the family can share the experience too. Click here to enter.

The Motley Fool is giving away £500 in babyworld vouchers
The Motley Fool, the popular online finance site is offering one lucky babyworld reader the chance to win £300 to spend in the babyworld online shop. Two runners up will each receive £100 in babyworld shop vouchers. Click here to enter.

And finally, you could win a Quinny Buzz
2005's "must have buggy" worth £299.99. Simply register with Baby's First Diary, a year long market research project which asks you to complete ten short online questionnaires spaced out over 12 months with further prizes and draws to come.

WHY DON'T YOU...
Join your antenatal club

Go shopping for Gifts

Log into discussions