TOP TIPS

EDITION


A grand adventure is about to begin
- Winnie the Poo

WELCOME TO THE
TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS
FROM THE FOUNDERS ZAC & LETICIA

As parents of two young children close in age we were
overwhelmed when introduced to the world of baby products,
a sea of choices and disparate sources of informaJon meant
our wide-eyed selves made many silly (and at best, humorous)
purchases.

The Top 100 Baby Products is a FREE one-stop guide and rich
online content plaSorm for insight into the early years
parenJng experience. EnJrely determined by parents sharing
valuable knowledge and experience, it is not just for parents,
but grandparents, friends and care providers - because we
dont make these decisions alone! We are a collecJve of
industry experts, writers, researchers, photographers, foodies,
illustrators, teachers and of course - every day parents!

To learn about the Top 100 baby Products please visit
top100babyproducts.com. In this special TOP TIPS ediJon we
present you with everything youll need to know along with
some inspiraJon on this wonderful journey you have
embarked on.

DIGITAL EDITON
- COMING SOON -

Subscribe for your FREE copy, along with the latest on

top baby products, offers, expert insight, tips and
musings from our contributors and guest bloggers

TOP100BABYPRODUCTS.COM

GET TO KNOW US

How it works

The Top 100 Baby Products is a vote-driven

guide. Our research team reaches out to
parents throughout the UK to share their
knowledge and experiences. This is done via
focus groups, birth centres, baby shows,
health centres, nurseries, online parenJng
networks and social media.

With no pre-selected list of products to
choose from, any product can be voted for.
Votes are submi^ed primarily with our
online form however Twi^er and Instagram
is also at hand for the social media savvy -
#top100babyproducts.

This informaJon is pooled together, collated
and shortlisted based on 5 key criteria:

VALUE FOR MONEY

FUNCTIONALITY
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
SAFETY
STYLE

PUSHCHAIRS

iCANDY Peach
BUGABOO Cameleon
CYBEX Priam
MACLAREN Quest
STOKKE Xplory
BABY JOGGER City Mini GT
PHIL & TEDS Navigator
MOUNTAIN BUGGY Duet
JOOLZ Day Quadro
COSATTO Giggle

BABY NURSERY

CAR SEATS & TRAVEL

MAXI-COSI CabrioFix
BABY BJORN Miracle Carrier
LITTLE LIFE Ranger Carrier
NUNA Sena Travel Cot
RECARO Monza Nova
ORBIT BABY G3
ERGO BABY 360 Carrier Dusty
SIGG Kids Bo^les
TRUNKI Travel Luggage
BESAFE iZi Go

HIGHCHAIRS

BABY TOYS

JELLYCAT Bashful Bunny

RED CASTLE Cocoonababy
BABY BJORN AppeJte
VTECH First Steps Baby Walker
CHIICCO Next2Me
BROTHER MAX Scoop
GREAT LITTLE TRADING CO Noahs Ark
MY BOORI Eton Cotbed
MAMAS & PAPAS Prima Papa
MANHATTAN TOY Skwish
ADEN + ANAIS Classic Swaddles
MOUNTAIN BUGGY Pod Portable
TOMY Hide n Squeak Eggs
MOBA Moses Basket
STOKKE Tripp Trapp
LEAPFROG Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket
SWEET DREAMERS Ewan the dream sheep
COSATTO Noodle Supa
FISHER PRICE Babys First Blocks
FISHER PRICE Rainforest Jumperoo
MOTHERCARE Valencia
ORANGE TREE TOYS Puzzles
TINY LOVE Gymini Bouncer
BABIES R US Baby Hi-Lo
GUMMEE GLOVE Gummee Glove
JOHN LEWIS Spring cot ma^ress
KNUMA Connect 4-in-1
SASSY Ring O Links
THE GRO COMPANY Grobag
IKEA AnJlop

FEEDING

MAM AnJ Colic Bo^le

PHILIPS AVENT Natural Baby Bo^le
MEDELA Swing EssenJals Pack
DR BROWNS Natural Flow Starter Pack
YOOMI Self Warming Bo^le
TOMMEE TIPPEE Perfect Prep Machine
BABA Babycook
BABYMOOV Food Processor
VITAL BABY Weaning Spoon
NUBY Sippy Cup

BABY FOOD

NANNYCARE Follow on milk

APTAMIL Follow on Milk
COW & GATE Follow on Milk
ELLAS KITCHEN First Tastes
ORGANIX Finger Foods
HIPP ORGANIC
LITTLE DISH Toddler Food
COLLECTIVE DAIRY Suckies
ANNABEL KARMEL
INNOCENT Kids Smoothies

BATHING & BABY CARE

BABY SAFETY

LINDAM Home Safety Kit

BINATONE MOTOROLA MBP36S
BT Digital Baby Monitor 350 Lightshow
ANGELCARE AC1100 Monitor
BABYMOOV Premium Care Baby Monitor
BROTHER MAX 3 in 1 Touch Thermometer
BABY DAN True Pressure Baby Gate
CLIPPASAFE Safety Starter Pack
SAFETY 1st Portable Bedrail
Philips AVENT Bath & Room Baby
Thermometer

PRE-SCHOOL TOYS

MUSTELA Shampoo
LEGO Duplo
BABY BJORN Smart Po^y
LE TOY VAN Sophies House
CUDDLEDRY The Original Cuddledry
MICRO-SCOOTERS Mini Scooter
BRUSH BABY Chewable Toothbrush
ORCHARD TOYS Puzzles
GREEN PEOPLE Organic Babies Nappy Baby Balm
LITTLE TIKES Cozy Coupe
ANGELCARE Soi Touch Bath Support
LEAPFROG LeapReader
TOTS BOTS Bamboozle Stretch
ELC Happyland lii o rocket
PAMPERS Baby Dry Nappies
INDIGO JAMM BriJsh Classics
TOMMEE TIPPEE Healthcare Kit
HASBRO Play-doh
WATER WIPES Water Wipes
BRIO Train Sets

TOP TIPS

PUSHCHAIRS
Daily Routine

If you are out and about a lot then think about a lightweight, compact pushchair for the busy
spaces you might nd yourself in. Unfortunately someJmes people can be impaJent with you so
bear in mind what your movements are likely to be.
___

Try before you buy

Take the pushchair for a ride with all your belongings, although the pushchair may be light at the
beginning once you have your handbag and other items on it you'll get a clearer idea of what the
pushchair will feel like. You can always scout around online for the best deal later when at home.
___

Think about your partner too

Can it be adequately adjusted for more comfort if he or she is signicantly taller or shorter than
you? Remember, they will also be pushing it from Jme to Jme.
___

Storage areas

If you carry a lot with you or do a lot of shopping then consider the size of the basket area and
how you can get clever with the areas of the pushchair to store things.
___

Public transport

If you use public transport then having a compact pushchair is key, otherwise you may nd your
self unable to hitch a ride at all.
___

Bringing it home

Consider your home set up, if youre on the top oor without a lii then there are obvious
challenges but also check your front door size and where you plan on leaving the pushchair.
___

Dont forget about your car

Think about the space the pushchair takes once placed in the car, will there be enough room for
shopping or other items if you are outbound on a road trip?
___

TOP TIPS

CAR SEATS
Don't buy second hand

Of all the things you might consider buying second hand, this is denitely not one of them. It's a bit like
not buying a cycle helmet second hand - you just don't do it!
___

Buy according to your childs weight

___

Check that thefitting along with the harness is firm

Watch out for the space between the car head rest and car seat, you might need to remove the head rest
to ensure it's a snug t. You should be able to get only two ngers between the straps and your child's
chest. They will undoubtedly protest over the Jghtness as they grow older but it'll be your job to distract
them whilst this is done!
___

Let them ride it out

You dont need to change your car seat as soon as you think plus it risks more severe neck and brain
injuries in a crash. Car seats that let you keep your child rear-facing unJl the age of four are becoming
more common.
___

Get the most out of theRetailer

Please speak to your retailer who will be able to equip you on all the things you need to know about car
seats. Take a pen and paper and make notes and consider all your opJons. In most cases, they should be
able to t the car seat into the car for you too.
___

TOP TIPS

BABY NURSERY
Create a mood board

Have a brainstorm exploring themes and products. Pinterest is great for this and you can very quickly
collect a dozen images which will excite you and sJr the emoJons in preparaJon for the li^le one.
___

Plan

Whichever furniture pieces you choose will mainly depend on the size of your nursery. Consider all
your pracJcal challenges along with any limitaJons on budget and space. Think about the long term
plans for the room as well, which will impact on how adaptable you want the room to be. Take
measurements and create a oor plan to take with you on any trips to retailers.
___

Key pieces

You might like the idea of coordinaJng all your furniture, or choosing two or three key pieces such as
drawers, a wardrobe and a changing unit. ConcentraJng on key pieces rst is a good idea as there will
be opJons and exibility with other things such as paints and wallpaper for example.
___

Space to move around

Seems like an obvious point but make sure you have enough space in the nursery to walk
around otherwise you will be constantly bumping into things and sneaking into the room quietly won't
be as easy as you would like.
___

Storage is key

Youll be surprised how many things are needed at the beginning, and with constant changing of
clothes, you will want to have everything stashed away nicely to give you easy access on demand.
___

Think about safety

It is best to posiJon the cot around a safe zone, away from windows, heaters, wall decoraJons, cords
and lamps. Once your baby discovers their inner adventurer, the climbing and clambering will begin,
make sure the cot is away from surrounding furniture.
___

TOP TIPS

BATHING & BABY CARE

Consider your space

If you choose to get a bathtub remember they do take up a lot of space. There is always the opJon of having
a baby bath seat, which doesnt take up much space and the baby feels comfortable as well as secure.
___

Warm room and water

Make the bathroom or room nice and warm, newborn and babies can get very easily cold. Make the water
warm before you put them in, and don't let the water run whilst the baby is in the tub.
____

Pay attention

Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a moment. Gather all you need such as a towel, clean
nappy, clean clothes and anything else you may need in advance. Keep at least one hand on your baby while
they are in the water. If the phone rings it can wait, otherwise if its important grab your baby in a towel and
take him with you.
___

Be playful

Bath Jme is a great Jme to interact with your baby, so choose toys to keep them busy as it may be that your
baby doesn't enjoy the water at rst, but don't worry they will soon grow out of that.
___

Post bath relaxation

Choose a lovely massage oil for aier the bath, it will relax the baby and also act as a great way of taking out
any extra gas in case they have some colic irritaJon. Rub gently and bring their legs towards their tummy.
___

Be patient and stick to routine

As with most things with parenJng, rouJne is key it makes for a calmer baby and calmer parent. It may
seem as though your eorts are in vain but soon enough they will begin expecJng and respond wonderfully
to the sense of comfort the end result oers.
___

Let the skin breath

Puung the nappy on too Jght can stop the skin from breathing and restricts air circulaJon. Leung baby go
nappy free is someJmes a good idea, its not only fun to watch but is good for their skin.
___

TOP TIPS

FEEDING PRODUCTS
Keep baby bottles clean

Baby bo^les and teats should be sterilised every Jme you use them. Newborns are parJcularly vulnerable
to bacteria. Some bo^les oer self-sterilisaJon.
___

Anti-colic bottles

It would be a good idea to consider these if your baby is suering from colic (uncontrollable crying). These
bo^les are designed to reduce the amount of air a baby takes in whilst feeding.
___

BPA

BPA (Bisphenol-A) is a chemical that is found in some plasJcs. It is believed that BPA can leach out of
Polycarbonate plasJc bo^les into babys milk and cause problems such as diabetes, breast cancer and
hyperacJvity in the babys adult life. Its best to chose products that are cerJed BPA free.
___

Sippy cups

A great way to encourage independence. As they grow they want to become more like us so why not
encourage them to drink by themselves from their own cup. Some children may take a while before taking
to a sippy cup but introducing dierent types and styles may do the trick.
___

Gadgets

It is important to give baby and you a comfortable, uninterrupted moment together to get the most of out
feeding. Think about Jme and energy saving gadgets like breast pumps, bo^le prep machines and food
processors for later down the line. Such gadgets can make life a lot easier.
___

The appliance for steaming, mixing

and heating tasty, healthy meals for
baby in no time at all.

Discover all the BEABA products and points of sale at www.beaba.com

Agence : INSIGN - Crdit photo : GettyImages - BEABA - S.A. au capital de 2 058 750 - 31 avenue de lopra 75001 Paris - SIREN B 352 684 377 Paris - ADC-U&D-15/1

BABYCOOK

The Babyfood
Maker that wants
the best for you

TOP TIPS

HIGHCHAIRS
Lifestyle

There is a style and design that matches all tastes however consider your home seung and whether you
would want a seamless addiJon of a highchair to the table seung.
___

Space

If space is Jght, you will need to consider how wide the legs spray out and whether the highchair can be
folded. Some high chairs require the tray to be removed before folding, which is somewhat cumbersome
if you're having to do this several Jmes a day.
___

Features

Think about all the adjustments and extras it can make mealJmes a lot easier and simpler; this includes
the seat height and tray.
___

Ease of use

Experiment with the tray and seat height and other funcJons, making all the adjustments. Youll be
repeaJng these acJons regularly with a wriggly child so best to get an idea early on.
___

Easy to clean

Mess is an inevitable reality of feeding Jme so its best to ensure the highchair is easy to clean. Food
geung trapped in li^le areas may result is an una^racJve and unwelcoming highchair. PlasJc parts and a
removable seat cover are things to think about.
___

Think ahead

If you are spending a li^le more on a highchair consider a converJble, designed to grow with your baby,
many of which can be used up unJl three years plus. Some brands have mastered this and allow you to
convert the highchair into a snazzy piece of dining furniture.
___

Safety

The base should be wide enough for stability and never placed on slippery surfaces. Make sure your child
is properly strapped in and supervised at all Jmes, prevenJng them from standing or slipping out of their
high chair seat.
___

20

TOP TIPS

BABY FOOD
The Stages

0-6 months your baby only needs breast milk or formula, aier 6 months your babys rst foods can include mashed or
soi cooked fruit and vegetables (like patato, carrot, apple or pear) all cooled before eaJng. From 12 months your baby
will be eaJng more regularly with 3 meals a day so by this point youll have more structure in place and can have your
child get excited by the meals.

Formula

Avoid overdoing it with the formula powder as it can cause consJpaJon with your baby and never warm up infant
formula in a microwave as it can heat the feed unevenly and may burn your babys mouth.
___

Spoon to finger foods

When your baby begins grabbing the spoon as you try to feed them, it is a sure sign they are ready to get some cutlery of
their own. Let them explore this as you get a break from ghJng with them and seeing food land on the oor.
___

Start on solid foods (weaning)

An important step in your babys development and great fun to explore new avours and textures together. Start slow,
worrying less about how much they eat and more about geung them used to the idea of eaJng.
___

Present choices

Empowering your child with choices over food, plates, cutlery, bibs etc this enables them to feel more involved in the
process and results in them being more helpful and less resistant.
___

Dont worry about the mess

It is fuJle. The more you try the messier things will get and the more youll have a nervous li^le one. Its be^er for them
to be playful with food, understanding texture along with taste, avour and smells. Just keep some Jssues or baby wipes
to hand.
___

Go at their pace

Let them take their Jme, and if they are not eaJng as much as you would like or have started to play at the table then
mealJme is over. Dont get stressed over it, if they are hungry theyll eat!
___

Eat as a family

If possible try to encourage this as much as possible, having the whole family on the table encourages social skills to be
developed. Its also a good chance to show the li^le ones how to eat.
___

TOP TIPS

BABY TOYS
Age appropriate

Always select toys (and check they are playing with toys) that are designed for their age group. Pay
a^enJon to any safety noJces that may apply.
___

Stimulate the senses

The more senses they can use when playing with a toy the be^er. Dont forget texture along with music
both of which can help sooth and se^le your baby.
___

Whats in your mouth?!

Most toys do tend to end up in your babies mouth, so do look for toys that are washable or include non-
toxic informaJon on the label.
___

Hand toeye coordination

When babies start to sit up they begin developing their hand-eye coordinaJon and gross motor skills.
Anything that can withstand some banging is a good idea and think about toys that encourage your baby
to stretch and reach out for things.
___

Make a safe environment

Consider the surroundings and ensure a safe play area is created. Inspect it for any sharp objects and
edges, you want them to crawl and explore safely.
___

Think small and large

Mix up the toys to include both small and large ones, the variety is good for them and helps with their
development.
___

24


Every child is an artist. The problem is how to
remain an artist once he grows up.
- Picasso

TOP TIPS

PRE-SCHOOL TOYS
Creativity

This stage of a childs growth is when creaJvity begins to blossom. Art, building, crai and musical toys are all
great for this. It is worth invesJng in such toys as they are very long lasJng and you will get lots of use out of it.
___

Problem solving and motor skills

Pre-schoolers are curious li^le problem solvers, and they are great at using their hands to gure things out.
Puzzles are great for this along with building blocks.
___

Encourage pretend play

Giving toys characters and talking to them, acJng and dressing up are all very imaginaJve forms of play and
enhance creaJvity. Feelings can be explored along with the development of language skills.
___

Get them moving

Anything that gets the energy released in Jme for bed will be of great value to your much needed down Jme.
Along with sports equipment try out a bike or scooter, they will spend hours in the park chasing you and their
friends.
___

Teach mindfulness

Teach older children to keep their toys that may have removable small parts, sharp points or toys run on
electricity out of reach of younger siblings. Young children are very curious and may invesJgate toys that arent
appropriate for them.
___

Tidy up time

Teach children early to put toys away when they are nished playing with them. This will not only allow them
to begin showing care for their precious things but ensure the toys last longer. and of course prevent accidents.
___

Get involved

At this stage geung involved is easy and there is a lot of fun to be had. Building train sets, playing football in
the park and compleJng puzzles are a great way of bonding whilst ensuring all the necessary skills are being
developed. You will have some very precious memories doing this!
___

TOP TIPS

BABY SAFETY

Cupboard latches

Once your baby begins to crawl all they will want to do is explore, including all your cupboards and drawers so
buying clips is essenJal. If not locked away, organize and clear the contents of your cabinets so that its
contents are at the highest point, out of reach.
___

Electrical Plugs

Cover all your electrical plugs, as babies begin to touch and explore they will like to put their Jny li^le ngers in
these very dangerous areas.
___

Mind the steps

Safety gates are a must; make sure you use one at the top and bo^om of your stairs. You may also like to use
them in areas where you wouldnt like baby to go, such as the kitchen.
___

Give them a cupboard

If you choose not to put latches on the cupboards, replace the heavy saucepans and kitchen utensils with
plasJc cups and plates - you will be surprised how long they will spend playing around the cupboard and
having fun. It is useful to remember that this is an area your kids see you accessing frequently and thus, of
natural interest to them.
___

Curtains and blinds

Loose string and cords represent a suocaJon hazard to your baby. A baby can easily get these tangled around
the neck while exploring your home. Tie them up at a height that is out of your babys reach.
___

Portable bed rail

If you are travelling with your kids to a lovely country retreat and they dont have a cot you may want to invest
in a portable bed rail, these can be easily added onto a normal bed where your child will be kept safe unJl he is
ready to move onto a bed.
___

BEST OF BRITISH

COMING SOON

30

IF
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubJng too;
If you can wait and not be Jred by waiJng,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to haJng,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long aier they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can ll the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

- Rudyard Kipling

32

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