My Newborn Sleep Essentials

11 / 7 / 1911 / 8 / 19

I want to share some of my newborn sleep essentials that works for us when it comes to our little boy ( 3 months old), who now does 3 to 4 naps in the day and mostly wakes once at night for a feed. Our sleep essentials have played a huge role in ensuring he has the perfect environment and is comfortable for a nap or nighttime sleep.

I believe sleep (or lack there of) is one of the most controversial topics around when it comes to babies. My first was not good with her day naps or her night sleep and I promised I would do anything and everything to try to get my second baby to sleep better. When I received the opportunity to try out these sleep aid products, I jumped at it as I needed to make sure he gets a good start at earth side from a sleeping perspective and who better to partner with than Tommee Tippee, https://www.tommeetippee.co.za/.

Tommee Tippee is committed to safe sleep, but most importantly better sleep. As part of our gift, we received the following:

GroSwaddleDry; GroSnug; GroComforter; GroEgg; GroBag 1.0 tog; GroFriend; GroLight

I chose to use the products for a period of 3 months (and will continue using them) to ensure we give it a fair opportunity, test for quality and I have shared my honest opinion on them.I hope you find this post useful, and as always, please leave me a comment below if you have any questions about anything I’ve written about, or whether you’d also like to share something that has helped your little one sleep well/better.

Our sleep process entails using Tommee Tippee products for both day naps and night sleep.

We start every sleep by creating the ideal environment for baby to sleep.

GroEgg

I cannot begin to explain the importance of having your room at the correct temperature for baby to sleep. The GroEgg ensures you always know the temperature and the colour changing room thermometer makes it appealing to the eye aswell as easy to pick up when the temperature changes. With this being used we have assurance that baby is resting in a suitable temperature by either dressing him accordingly or using a fan to adjust the temperature.

GroLight

The Grolight does not disturb baby when we need to do nappy changes and feeds at night. The Grolight adapts your existing light into an adjustable night-light. We use it on our bedside lamp and it has a soothing glow. It is easy to use, simply plug in. The brightness adjustable and is energy efficient.

GroFriend

White noise is a key part of our sleep routine. Having an older child, there is bound to be loud bursts of laughter and cries, also we don’t want life to come to a standstill when baby is sleeping. This is one of our favourites from the range. The GroFriend light and sound sleep aid comes with four sounds to help settle baby to sleep at different sound levels. It is a gentle plush toy for baby. The GroFriend has the added technology of a CrySensor that helps baby settle back to sleep. The CrySensor automatically activates to soothe your baby back to sleep. An adjustable glowing nightlight also helps comfort baby. The hanging loop makes it convenient to use at home, on the go in a pram or in the car. We use Ollie the Owl and is suitable from birth.

GroComforter

We also started with a sleep association and we love the Grocomforter. The Grocomforter is used daily fore naps and bedtime. We place it over our shoulder and have baby’s head rested against it as we get him ready for his sleep time. Its soft and gentle to the touch.

How we make baby feel cosy for his sleep?

GroSwaddledry

Wow, this is the best towel I have ever used. I wish it came in adult sizes. It remains soft and plush to the touch wash after wash. I love it!!! We bath baby every night and use the Groswaddledry, he loves being cuddled up in it and it easily absorbs the water off him. The Groswaddledry is made of quick drying hypoallergenic Puredry Microfibre which is soft, super absorbent and snug as a bug. The unique shape has been specifically designed to recreate the calming and soothing effects of swaddling after bath time. I can definitely vouch for this. It has a cute little character embroidered on the hood. We have Poppy the Penguin. You can use the GroSwaddleDry from birth to 6 months.

GroSnug

Baby Evan used to wake from the startle reflex until we started swaddling. We swaddle at every sleep. The Grosnug is safe with its unique hip-healthy design for natural leg position, with arms being in for us keeping him nice and snug. its easy to use with a zip that opens from bottom for changing. The Grosnug is 100% cotton and is machine washable.

GroBag

Its been quite hot and we are still to make proper use of the Grobag, however I would still like to share what we love about it and how it benefits during sleep time.The GroBag is a safer alternative to loose sheets and blankets ensuring baby is safe and snug. Using the guidance of the GroEgg to determine room temperature, you decide what baby wears and which tog (thickness) Grobag to use. This ensures baby is comfortable for their sleep time. The weight of baby determines which size to choose. The back of the packaging provides weight and temperature guidelines. It is lightweave and 100% cotton. Evan is a kicker and the Grobag will keep him cozy and safe while he sleeps.

Sleep time has become a pleasure with Tommee Tippee . Honestly, the best sleep essentials and our sleep jounery for us.

Products available for purchase from:

Home

Charleys Boxes

Takealot.com

Baby City

Loot

To discover more Tommee Tippee amazing products visit:

https://www.tommeetippee.co.za/

XOXO

Healthy kids road trip snacks

12 / 1 / 1812 / 1 / 18

Seeing as many of you will be hitting the road this holiday season and requested for easy healthy kids road trip snacks, I thought I’d share some road trip snacks packing ideas with you!

These snacks are perfect for those that are like me that want store bought given the limited time I have due to work and life in general. I usually make homemade but these are just as good and a parent sometimes just needs a break from the kitchen to focus on the packing for the trip…

If you’re traveling long stretches, consider your snacks as meal replacements and choose wisely. These snacks are perfect for a drive that is over 10 hours and under 2 hours.

I hope this list gives you ease of execution (no long waits at the garage shop) and guilt free thoughts for your next road trip. I included a balance of healthy, sweet and savory snacks that will please the family (I know these are kids snacks but I must admit that I am also addicted to them)!

We were lucky enough to have been sent a selection of the tasty, healthy Kiddylicious snacks. The package entails a combination of sweet and savoury snacks which Sweet M&M loves. I could not stop snacking on the coconut ones and my toddler loves the cheese straws. They were devoured even before I could get a decent picture of her enjoying them.

These snacks have become my go to everyday and is the ideal option for road trip healthy snacks.

Its comes in perfectly portioned individually wrapped packaging which makes it ideal to pack into a nappy bag, cooler bag or backpack.

The nutritional construct entails it being free from gluten (except cheese straws) and nuts which is ideal for allergy prone kids. I also love that the sugar content is low.

There is no artificial preservatives, flavours and colourants.

The entire range is easily purchased at Baby Cities and Clicks, stores that are easily accessible.

Here is the selection of the range:

Rice wafers:

Real strawberry and blueberry flavor. Perfectly sized for those cute little hands to hold.
Crumb free which makes it perfect for travelling.
Coeliac, dairy intolerance and vegetarian friendly
Suitable for babies over 6 months.

Veggie & Cheese Straws:

Easy to hold and ideal for pincer grip, hand to mouth coordination
Veggie straws are suitable for coeliacs, dairy & gluten intolerance and vegetarians
Suitable for babies from 9 months old

Coconut rolls:

Coconut and banana coconut flavours
Encourages the exploration of different tastes and textures
Perfect to develop pincer grip
Suitable for coeliacs, dairy intolerance and vegetarians
Free from gluten, nuts and dairy
Suitable from 12 months and older

Fruit Wriggles:

Apple and strawberry flavours
High in natural fibre
Suitable for coeliacs, dairy intolerance and vegetarians
Free from gluten, nuts and dairy
Suitable from 12 months and over

Additional information can be found at https://www.kiddylicious-sa.co.za

I hope this list has helped you and you enjoy these products as much as your kids will.

I would love to hear about your road trip snack ideas.

Happy Snacking & Safe travels!

SUGAR ADDICTION – MY TIPS ON HOW TO REDUCE SUGAR CRAVINGS!

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How I reduced my sugar cravings!

How to reduce sugar cravings-Photo by Laura Ockel — How to reduce sugar cravings Photo by Laura Ockel

I used to have a serious sweet tooth and craved foods high in sugar on a daily basis, not so much sweets but more baked goodies like bread, biscuits and desserts. After being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I started educating myself on how the body works to breakdown sugar. Luckily for me I controlled my gestational diabetes through diet and following these tips below to help curb the sugar cravings.

Link to my gestational diabetes journey

http://lifesatreat.co.za/2017/08/21/gestational-diabetes-my-pregnancy-journey/

Here is what I do to help with my sugar cravings:

Protein is key. Eat protein at every meal. Start at breakfast.Eggs or tofu scramble on gluten-free toasted bread with smashed avocado.
Eat good fats, it has helped me curb sugar cravings many times. Almond or peanut butter off a tablespoon is the perfect treat.
Eat them green vegetables. Research has shown that sugar cravings can come from nutrient deficiencies.
Reduce all types of sugar when the cravings are at high levels, including the non refined sugars like honey and maple syrup. Even though this is in natural form, it’s still a form of sugar.
My mom introduced me to chromium. Take chromium and magnesium supplements to help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Dehydration depletes nutrients that are essential for your body. Stay hydrated and try to drink 2 litres of water daily.
Exercise also helped me stay away from sugar. Not sure if it was because I did not want to undo the hard work after a walk or the squats before I shower.
Get in 8 hours of sleep. Go to bed by 10pm. When I don’t get 7-8 hours of sleep, I crave sugar in the form of biscuits or a muffin for breakfast.

I hope these tips help. I also stopped being so harsh on myself, I forgave myself for being addicted to sugar. It’s a journey and with time, it will no longer be an addiction.