The birth of 'Baby shows' only happened as I entered my second pregnancy. How glad I was that I could luxuriate in a day spent shopping for my baby with everything under one roof instead of having to hit the high street over and over again. With hands-on demonstrations of the latest car seats, prams, slings (I bought a Wilkinet carrier on the strength of a skilful demonstration!) and other useful gadgets I might never have discovered, it was shopping heaven for a mum-to-be. Despite the heavy load and the empty bank-balance at the end of a Iong day's shopping, I was laughing and very smug with only nappies left to buy!
Now you can come to what is, quite simply, the biggest event in the UK entirely dedicated to pregnancy, birth, babies and toddlers. The Baby Show is on at the Birmingham NEC 19th-21st May and we'll be there on stand P10 with some of the most innovative products in the market - see below for Caroline, our e-commerce manager's, hot favourites and recommendations for the show.
Stephanie Neuman
babyworld, Editorial Director
News from the babyworld shop team
The sun’s trying its best and we’re ready for it. We’ve got plenty of great items in the Sun and Sea section and some fantastic new toys for the garden, the pool and the bath
We’re also finalizing our special offers for the Birmingham Baby
Show! If you’re expecting, or have a baby or toddler, there will be
plenty of deals to keep your wallets happy – our deals on Doomoo,
Kuster, pushchairs and carseats won’t disappoint. Keep your eyes peeled
on This
Month’s Bargains from the 19th May, and don’t dilly-dally – the
offers will only last 14 days presuming we don’t run out of stock
first. For those of you lucky enough to have tickets, we’ll see you
there!
Why a birth centre might be a good choice for you
'Birth centres', 'midwife-led units', 'birthing centres', 'maternity homes', 'maternity hospitals', 'cottage hospitals' and 'GP units'. These are the various names that are used to describe the various small maternity units, operated both by the NHS and privately, throughout the UK. With many women attracted by the prospect of a less medical birth, we take a look at what birth centres can offer mums-to-be. Click here>>
How to handle the chore wars
Thanks to stereotypes, many men still feel it's not 'macho' to help out with household chores. You've never seen Arnie, for example, clearing up after wrecking a perfectly good home in one of his fight scenes. One study found that men would need to increase their housework by 60 per cent to be on a level with women. However, while the idea is delightfully appealing to women (just think of all that extra time!) men, unsurprisingly, are not so keen. If housework, and who does most of it, is a common flashpoint in your relationship, here's how to handle the chore wars! Click here>>
Will I ever be the same again?
As we head for the summer and our minds turn to bikinis and bear flesh it's enough to send new mums into a depression! Don't panic! We have lots of help from experts and real mums to show you that it is physically possible to be your old self again after the birth. Click here>>
Mothers know best
Like it or not, old sayings have some truth to them and we found this to be the case with one group of mums, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, who are giving breastfeeding support straight from the heart. Babyworld spoke to Lorraine Gillott, mother of two and breastfeeding counsellor to many, and discovered that mothers do know best. Click here>>
Family travel
Check out these travel stories to inspire and prepare you for the possible ups and downs of days out and holidays with the family.
Motherhood makes you smarter
It's official: motherhood does make you smarter. We talked to US journalist, author and mother Katherine Ellison about her groundbreaking book The Mommy Brain to find out why your brain doesn't turn to mush during motherhood. Click here>>
The Baby Show
Ever wished that babies came with a manual?!
The Baby Show is a three day event, taking place 19-21 May 2006, at Birmingham’s NEC where you can find everything you need. Come and meet the babyworld team on stand P10 with a fabulous range of quality nursery products and some great baby show deals. The Show is dedicated to pregnancy and childcare – with expert advice, the chance to make huge savings on all the nursery essentials you need as well as plenty to keep your baby or toddler amused.
To book tickets, call 0870 122 1313, or visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk for more information.
Win
a spa break for two at Champneys
Send in a picture of your baby having fun with food plus a donation of £2.50 to SPARKS to be in with a chance of winning some fab prizes. Now take a look at some of the messiest faces around in our Foodie Faces gallery! Click here>>
HOT THREADS
Take a dip into some of the latest discussions on our busy forums
PRODUCTS ON TEST
What a bumper month of product information we have for you! The car seat industry is gearing up for change and over the next few months we will be bringing you more information about how the laws concerning your child's car seat will be changing as well as a test on multi-group car seats. A major move forward in car sear technology is Isofix which should banish the car-seat-fitting-blues! Read our report into what Isofix is all about below.
- Isofix car seats - what's it all about?
- Highchairs - 7 of the best on test
- Re-usable nappies - can our testers get on with cloth nappies?
- Product review of the month - Elsa from Gloucester wins super Green Baby products for her review of the Stokke highchair
A round up of great member reviews...
- Little Eaters Art Suit: excellent buy for messy eaters
- Handysitt Chair: can be used anywhere a must-have
- M&P Tiny Tracks Activity Walker: good for little wrigglers
- Doomoo Seat: the most comfortable seat for a baby or toddler
- Outlook Auto Shades: brilliant - instant relief from the sun
- Natural Health for Kids: Fantastic book that I will be able to refer to till at least my daughter's teenage years
WIN! WIN! WIN!
Win a year's worth of clothes for you and baby
Dr Comfy is here to help all you mums care for your little ones' soft delicate skin and as part of the Dr Comfy campaign, Comfort Pure is giving away a year's worth of clothes to one lucky winner and their baby. Click here to enter>>
Win a year's supply of Start-rite shoes
Here's your chance to win a year's supply of Start-rite shoes and get expert advice too! Click here to enter>>
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