We have been waiting a long time for there to be a  double pram or stroller available to Australia that is reasonable in size, weight and stability. We even nagged Silver Cross to (pretty please) hurry up and release one of their nifty double strollers here. We waited patiently, and are rapt to introduce you to the Pop Duo! 

The new Silver Cross Pop Duo is  a zappy double stroller, perfect for two kids up to 15kgs each. The Pop Duo features a handy umbrella fold and independent seat back and hoods for the individual comfort of each child. Headrests, lockable swivel wheels, easy-access shopping baskets and that all-important cup holder are just a few of the other features of the Pop Duo.

Check out the Silver Cross Pop Duo stroller here…

Your toddler’s delaying tactics at bedtime – needing a drink, one more kiss, a lost toy – are her way of saying, ‘I really want you to stay with me.’ From a toddler’s perspective, it may be difficult to relax and fall asleep if she feels stressed about being left in her room alone, especially if she can hear adults having fun (talking, watching television) in another part of the house. Consider, also, if this is the only time of her day that your little one has your undivided attention. If this is the case, try to spend more one-on-one time with her during the day so her needs aren’t so intense at bedtime. A consistent bedtime routine with specific rituals is important to enlist your toddler’s cooperation and help him feel secure. If your child seems especially clingy at bedtime, try telling him the story of his day so that he can process the emotional ups and downs and let them go.

Once your toddler is closer to three, you can begin setting limits at bedtime by telling him how many stories you will read before you start. To minimise delaying tactics and calling out, try to anticipate his needs: before he gets into bed, let him get his toys in order and perhaps choose a soft toy to sleep with; place a lidded cup of water within his reach; before you settle down to read, ask him, ‘What is the one last thing you need to do before stories?’ Help your child stay in bed until he is sleepy by sitting in his room with him.

For more tips on happy bedtimes (and sleep) check Pinky’s books ‘Toddler Tactics’ and ‘Sleeping Like a Baby’. Visit Pinky’s website www.pinkymckay.com.au

 Air fresheners:

 Oven and toilet bowl cleaners:

 These can be the nastiest. Corrosive or caustic cleaners, such as the lye and acids found in drain cleaners, oven cleaners and acid-based toilet bowl cleaners, are the most dangerous cleaning products because they burn skin, eyes and internal tissue easily. We use NZ brand Eco-store which can now be found in most supermarkets.  

Plastic Food Storage Containers:

Knowing that BPA containing plastics can cause all sorts of health problems, we spent a long time seeking out a BPA free plastic food container range . We found a fantastic range in the USA (preserve) , which bebe now stocks.  There is no need to check for codes or not know which part of their range is healthy – the entire range is made from recycled plastic and BPA free, which is great for peace of mind when it comes to left overs, work lunches and of course school lunches.

Canned food:

Bottled water:

Most people buy bottled water thinking they’re avoiding any contaminants that may be present in their tap water. For the most part, they’re wrong. Bottled water can be just as, or even more, contaminated than tap water. In fact, some bottled water IS tap water - just packaged (in plastic that can leach chemicals into the water) and over-priced.  We have invested in  reusable stainless steel water bottles and am alkalised water system which we believe has contributed to great health.

Rubber duckies:

How does such a cute toy end up on a toxic product list? When it’s made from PVC - the poison plastic. Banned in over 14 countries and the European Union, PVC, also known as vinyl, is still legally sold by Australian  retailers although it threatens environmental and consumer health at every stage of its product life cycle.  We’ve sourced some fantastic new  BPA free bath toys which we’ll be launching online and in store in the next 2 weeks – so stay tuned!

Oil-based paints and finishes:

 There are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint. It’s so common to paint the nursery when pregnant as part of teh nesting process (I did it myself too!), so it’s great to be aware of healthier options. When painting we look for water-based options - ideally those that are low- or no-VOC. We also  explore natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax based wood finishes. Porters Paints offer some of these more natural options.

. . .and just like that we are already a month into 2010 and the bebe January Review Winners of a $50 Virtual Voucher are:

Ellen Acheson,

Kate Rice and

Justine Leopold.

Congratulations to this month’s winners, keep up the great review work and who knows you could have a nice $50 virtual voucher arriving in your email next month.

It might look like a trumpet, but this intriguing object is actually a wooden stethoscope, traditionally used by midwives to listen to the fetal heartbeat during pregnancy.

It has its origins in France in the early 19th century and works by amplifying the heartbeat of an unborn foetus through its bell-shaped curves. Made of smooth beech wood, you can pass it around so everyone in the family can take a listen to the baby from 20 weeks or so. I can see this being a hit with grandparents and older siblings alike.

We are exclusively stocking this Danish-made item in store and  online . A wonderful heirloom gift for the expecting mother, home birther or midwifery student or apprentice, you can pick up the midwife’s stethiscope for $39.95.

·         Confused about baby sleep advice?

·         Concerned about the impact of baby sleep training regimes such as controlled crying?

·         Looking for gentle baby sleep and settling techniques that WORK?

Best selling baby sleep author, Pinky McKay presents a ‘not to be missed’ seminar for both parents and health professionals!

Sleep, Love and Your Baby’s Brain
New evidence shows that some approaches to ‘teaching babies to sleep’ may cause long term, adverse changes to a baby’s developing brain.

Pinky McKay (author, Sleeping Like a Baby, 100 Ways to Calm the Crying, Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant and infant massage instructor), examines this evidence and offers gentle options to encourage infant sleep and settling that also promote optimum brain and emotional development, along with a secure parent-infant bond. Babies welcome!

Pinky is holding seminars in Melbourne in the months of February and March,2010

Interested? Read More.

He wants it all. He wants it now. And he wants it all to himself! Your toddler can be affectionate one minute and obstinate the next. He runs away when you call him and yells when you want peace and quiet. He wants the blue cup, shirt or towel (whatever) when you offer him the yellow one. Now is the time to guide and protect your toddler with a new kind of parenting that includes setting appropriate limits.

Keep expectations realistic. Toddlers don’t understand concepts like hurry, tidy and wait, and taking turns or sharing depend on developmental readiness, not parental demands. Keep teaching, but be patient.

Notice the good things. Toddlers like to please the people they love, and they delight in attention. Comment positively and give hugs when you notice good behaviour and you will get more of it.

Give clear instructions. Telling children what you do want is more effective than telling them what not to do – ‘Hold my hand,’ is better than ‘Don’t run on the road.’ And ‘Use your spoon,’ works better than ‘Don’t eat with your fingers.’ For some reason, little ones only seem to hear the actual request, not the ‘don’t’ that comes first.

Create a diversion. Divert your toddler from potentially harmful or dangerous situations (or things that simply drive you bananas) by giving her something more acceptable to play with. For instance, if she likes to fiddle with TV knobs, remove her from the vicinity and try offering her a torch to switch off and on.

Limit choices. Offering choices helps your child to become a decision-maker and think for himself. This helps develop self-esteem and enlists cooperation. Don’t, however, offer open-ended choices and make sure the options you offer suit you! Instead of asking, ‘What do you want to wear?’ Say, ‘Would you like to wear your red shirt or the blue one.

Think ahead. It is better to prevent trouble than react angrily later. For instance, put folded washing out of sight if you don’t want it thrown out of the basket or tracked around the house, and prevent precious things being broken by banning ball-throwing inside and keeping the balls outside.

Think of ‘mistakes’ as opportunities to teach your

child to make amends. Instead of yelling or muttering under heavy breath as you clean up an accidental mess, try to problem-solve by saying, ‘‘Oops, the milk spilt. If I get the sponge, can you help me wipe it up, please?’

For more great strategies to help your toddler behave like an angel,  see ‘Toddler Tactics’ by Pinky McKay or check out Pinky’s interviews with experts recordings. Living loving Guidance, respectful ways to help your toddler behave.