Tag Archives: sleep

Brother Max Bunny Nightlight – keeping the goblins away

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in Baby and toddler products, Sleep

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Review

My toddler is a bit of a pain when it comes to bedtime. There is the odd occasion when she pops into bed without a peep, but battles at bedtime are also a regular occurence in this house. One of the main reasons she gives for “NOT sleeping now Mummy!” is a fear of the dark. So, step up the Brother Max Bunny Nightlight.

Frog already has a nightlight in her room. Plus, she sleeps with the door ajar so the light from the landing peeps in. But, on evenings when she really doesn’t fancy giving in to her tiredness, these sources of light are no help. Something changed last week though. And I’m putting it down to this little beauty:

Brother Max Bunny Nightlight Continue reading »

Before dawn

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Work

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The deepest of sleeps. My face is buried in the warm softness of my pillow and my mind is far, far away. Dreaming.

I wake before I hear it. The gentle buzz of the vibration on my phone is enough to stir me from the depths of my fuzz. I reach quickly for the phone before it goes off and rouses the rest of the house. Experience has taught me this.

I roll over, instantly irritated by my snoring husband, fast asleep next to me. Huffing and puffing I pad to the bathroom, avoiding the creaky floorboards on the way. I tiptoe past the toddler’s lair, desperate not to wake her as I brush my teeth and wash my face.

I look dead. Continue reading »

The accidental co-sleeper

28 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Sleep

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When I was pregnant, I remember being thrust a variety of information leaflets, all of which I read studiously before putting to one side. Some leaflets told me about breastfeeding, others told me about sleeping and yet more told me about weaning.

They all claimed to be the “right” and “only” method that any sane parent should follow.

Of course, when my baby arrived in the world I realised that no leaflet had the answer to every question – and it was very likely the leaflet in the GP surgery wouldn’t match the leaflet at the baby massage class or the leaflet at the breastfeeding support group or the leaflet at the baby sensory session.

They all disagreed, because they were all written by people with a different background and approach to the role of being a parent. Continue reading »

From cot to bed. And almost back again.

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Sleep

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This is the sight that greeted my husband as he went to wake our almost-2 year old daughter this morning. It’s a blurred picture, completely out of focus. This is because he was shaking with fear as he took it.

I blame the wee.

The stench of it, apparently, was rather strong. There were patches in at least three corners of the room.

Last night was the first night Frog slept in her cot, without the prison bars on, you see. Despite sleeping in a proper bed on our trip to Devon, the novelty of being in her own big girl’s bed was clearly too much to handle. Continue reading »

Escaping the prison

19 Saturday May 2012

Posted by in Sleep

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With her second birthday just 6 weeks around the corner, it’s fair to say my beautiful Frog is no longer a baby.

Despite her inability to confidently walk unaided (although we’re getting there, step by step) my girl is feisty, chatty, independent and extremely bossy. She certainly isn’t the tiny, helpless little bundle we brought home from the hospital.

Which means – we think – that she’s ready for a bed.

The whole “moving from cot to bed” is yet another milestone that parents can become obsessed by. On the scale of riveting conversations, the discussion about my daughter’s bed readiness ranks pretty low (about a 1 or 2 I guess) and isn’t something I’d expect anyone other than myself to give two hoots about. Continue reading »

The gift I'll never forget

26 Monday Mar 2012

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I’m guest posting over on The Netmums blog today, as I help them launch their campaign for United Kindmums. This post is all about a random act of kindness I’ll never forget, which helped me through a difficult day of early motherhood.

***

It’s a dark, chilly October morning. I’m cold and feeling very low. My baby is crying because she’s tired and has the sniffles. I’m crying because I’m tired and have the sniffles. We both want to sleep.

The newborn bubble has well and truly burst. My beautiful daughter has reached four months and, while I love her so fiercely it makes my heart physically ache, I am exhausted. I feel spent and alone. My husband is at work all day and my friends haven’t yet got children. The hours until bedtime stretch ahead like a dark, sleepless void. I cry again.

I feel like I’ve failed my daughter somehow, because I’m not feeling bubbly and happy today. I feel like I’ve failed at motherhood somehow, because I’m not enjoying it this morning. Continue reading »

Survival

22 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Every single day so far this year - minus last week - has been about getting to grips with a new way of life.

It’s been about balancing on the edge of a cliff face, determined not to fall off. It’s been about struggling to maintain a sense of calm while a million things on my “to do” list whizz through my head.

It’s been about trying to be the best mum I can possibly be, while being the best radio presenter I can possibly be, while being the best copywriter I can possibly be, while being the best blogger I can possibly be, while being the best feature writer I can possibly be. And still remain some sort of wife to my husband. Continue reading »

Let there be light

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

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I’ve made no secret in the past of my love for the innovative and stylish baby gadget brand Brother Max. In fact, I was almost wanting not to like their latest offering, in the hope of becoming a bit less predictable.

Sorry folks.

They’ve done it again. The dual purpose plug in nightlight is another item I wish I’d known about this time 19 months ago.

Far from being your ordinary nightlight, this one is so intuitive it can actually tell if it’s dark already. That’s right – you don’t even need to switch it on. Imagine those milk feeds at 3am, with no need to maneouvre a baby in one hand and find a light switch with the other…. Continue reading »