04.01.2011 - Chireal Shallow with all the latest New Year sleep tips!
As we all get used to those early mornings again, our sleep expert Chireal Shallow has posted a few sleep facts to get the new year started. She has also listed a few sleep techniques for those finding it difficult to get some kip and to help get us all back into the routine of early mornings! Visit our blog to read all about it.
17.12.2010 - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
From everyone here at The Little Green Sheep, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! For those with more creative minds, here's something we made earlier......
30.11.2010 - Organic moses baskets strike.....Silver!
For the second consecutive year, our Organic Moses Basket received a Silver award in the Best Moses Basket/Crib category at the Mother & Baby Awards 2010! In a star-studded night boasting comedian Jason Manford, we narrowly missed out on Gold but the basket was praised for its UK manufacture and extra supportive organic, chemical-free mattress.
16.11.2010 - Weight management advice in pregnancy 'lacking'
A recent survey conducted by Netmums and The Royal College of Midwives claims that many women during and after pregnancy are not receiving proper advice on weight issues. Nearly 63% of women claimed that their midwive failed to explain obesity issues like the body mass index during their first antenatal appointment. The survey also highlighted the pressures to lose weight quickly after pregnancy, with celebrity culture at blame.
Top charity Emma's Diary, offer lots of great information on nutrition during pregnancy and what foods are best to help for a healthy baby and also what to avoid.
05.11.2010 - Sleep expert Chireal Shallow's Top 10 sleep tips
Get off to a good start - Here are some of my die hard favs, I have used all of them with my four kids and have received great success when sharing them with my clients. Try this to avoid accidental sleep traps.
1) Keep your newborn baby swaddled and cosy
2) Pre-empt ALL night-time feeds
3) Take your baby off the breast/bottle when their sucking slows down and put them in a safe sleeping place
4) Introduce your child to soothing first verbally, then by touch and then by holding; to avoid the common accidental 'rocking to sleep will only work' drama.
5) Deep breaths in your childs ear to help them sleep, this is better than shhhh as it is relaxing for both you and baby
6) Use cheek to cheek contact and holding their chest when they are lying down as an alternative to picking up
7) Use what I call “the Bum rock”....whilst your baby is lying down and as an alternative to picking them up, gently rock from side to side by holding onto their nappy and bum to ensure a gentler rocking motion. Stop when they are calm.
8) Keep the room at the right temperature...it is too easy in winter to let the room get too cold
9) Go to your child as soon as you hear them and gently help them back off to sleep
10) Keep your child with you until 6 months and allow them to share a room with an older child. Research shows that children will mirror good sleeping habits and this will help maintain your child’s body rhythm.
21.10.2010 - FSID named LGS charity of the year
The Little Green Sheep is delighted to announce that The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is our charity of the year for 2011! This means that we will donate 5% of our annual profits to FSID, our pledge to help continue the excellent research and work that FSID do to help ensure safe sleep for babies all across the UK.
For more information, visit 'Our Support' page here.
12.10.2010 - Mother & Baby Awards 2010
Once again, the Mother & Baby Awards are upon us and this year has seen the largest number of testers and the most products ever entered! This makes it even more ace that The Little Green Sheep has been nominated for two awards; Best Innovation (The Ryeland Cot Bed) and Best Moses Basket/Crib. We ask all our followers to cross their fingers and toes when all the winners and runners up are announced on Thursday 18th November. Chief organiser Jessica Milln has all the information on her blog.
04.10.2010 - Parents warned on baby sleeping aids
There are reports from across the pond today linking some baby sleep aids to sudden infant deaths. Sleeping aids such as cushioned head pillows and positioners are those in question, and US consumer authorities have issued a warning because they have been linked to 12 deaths in the past 13 years.
Jeanine Young, the chairwoman of the SIDS and Kids National Scientific Advisory Group in Australia made the following comments.
"Many people use these positioners [to] actually keep babies on their side and then what happens is the baby cannot roll back into the safe sleeping position which is the supine position," she said.
"In fact when bolsters are used, babies are more likely to roll onto their tummy, which is an unsafe sleeping position and increases the risk of sudden and unexpected death by between about four and nine times."
Here in the UK, The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) recommend against using baby sleeping aids such as positioners. This is based on research that says babies under the age of 4 months don't have the mobility to be able to roll over, if sleeping on a firm and flat surface.
23.09.2010 - LGS promotion to celebrate Grandparent's Day!
Becoming a new parent is undoubtedly a life changing event, but at The Little Green Sheep we remember that for every new parent, a grandparent is born! The support, guidance and help they offer, can often be taken for granted which is why The Little Green Sheep is celebrating National Grandparent’s Day this October, by giving a little something back to say ‘thanks a grand’ to all grandparents (old and new!).
So if you’re a parent or parent to be ordering* from The Little Green Sheep from now until the 3rd October, packed in with your delivery with be a free goody from the Dr.Hauschka skincare range (worth £14.95) – a little thank you pressie to give to your mum and dad – the new grandparents! To claim this gift, customers simply need to enter promo code ‘grandparentgift’ during the checkout process.
For all grandparents ordering for their new grandchild*, The Little Green Sheep will instead send a free NooNoo organic mini-comforter (worth £8.95) as the perfect little extra gift! To claim, grandparents simply need to enter promo code ‘grandbabygift’ during the checkout process on the website. However, if chatting is your thing, then simply give us a call on 0800 028 1433 and The Little Green Sheep will help you out!
*orders must be over £70
17.09.2010 - Ryeland Cot Bed in shock Naked Photo-shoot!
This week saw the new ‘Just Wood’ version of our Ryeland range of Cot Beds have it’s very own photo-shoot! Wearing absolutely nothing (no paints, chemicals or varnishes) it looked stunning at the studios and we’re sure the pictures will do the beautiful natural hardwood justice. Made in the UK from solid Beech with no lacquers or coatings, this cot bed truly is as natural as you can get!
The Ryeland ‘Just Wood’ Cot Bed is available now from www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk priced from just £595!
13.09.2010 - Presenter Katy Hill loves The Little Green Sheep!
What's left to acheive in life now The Little Green Sheep has earned its Blue Peter badge! Presenter Katy Hill recently spoke about buying from The Little Green Sheep and was kind enough to feedback some lovely comments.
Katy said: "Getting organic bedding for my second baby was very important to me. I was really impressed by the efficiency of Little Green Sheep, and the products are of an amazing quality. I've got the Cot Bed Mattress and Mattress Protector and Blanket. I love that the mattress contains no harmful chemicals and since it's covered in Organic Cotton, it helps the baby regulate it's heat, which is so important. I feel like it's going to help give my new baby the best start in life, and hopefully that means a bit more sleep for me too"!
25.08.2010 - Cold snap the reason for baby boom!
So PM David Cameron got his prediction wrong about a baby boy, but this little piece of insight explains why there are expected to be a surge of births this coming September!
Health experts in Hampshire and Portsmouth are planning for a baby boom next month, based on information that showed a 20% rise in the number of 12-week scans back in March this year! Despite some local hospitals refusing to speculate, independent midwife Joy Horner, claimed that bad winters often lead to baby booms.
Speaking to Portsmouth News, she said "We do see a rise in conception rates when there's been severe weather. The weather does have an impact.
"The snow could definitely be the reason for the baby boom next month. If you can not get out of your house, you've got to find some way to keep yourself occupied."
Julie Dawes, director of nursing at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, also said: "Having a baby is a very special time for anyone and we are excited for all mums-to-be who are expecting this autumn. A 'baby boom' is determined by how many women are having pregnancies confirmed by a 12-week scan. In a normal month that number would be about 500. In March this year we carried out more than 600 12-week scans and in April more than 550 were done."
To celebrate the September baby boom, The Little Green Sheep is offering free delivery on all orders over £70 (including all of our cot and cot bed mattresses). Simply use the code "babyboom" during the checkout stage to claim your discount.
20.08.2010 - PM: We think it will be a baby boy!
Prime Minister David Cameron is sure that wife Samantha will give birth to a baby boy. The couple has decided not to know the sex of the baby, but this has not stopped our PM from predicting a baby boy. And what logic is this prediction based on I hear you ask.....because the baby is kicking "like Beckham!"
He told the Sun newspaper that he thinks the birth is imminent, even though Sam still has weeks to go saying "we have had one or two moments when we thought it might have arrived already. "But it is hanging on in there at the moment."
Mr Cameron joked: "We think it's a boy because it is kicking furiously. It has got a right foot like Beckham."
We hope that our mystical prime minister is right about this one and that it is a sign of things to come!
The Little Green Sheep has lots of baby gifts for boys and girls, including organic blankets, bedding, toys and toiletries.
16.08.2010 - Baby delivered in hospital car park!
The Mirror newspaper this morning reported of a father's dash to the hospital when his wife suddenly went into labour. David Wheat frantically rushed 39-year-old wife Joanne to hospital only to find out that they had run out of time! With help from David baby Tom arrived into the world on the front seat of their car, just yards away from the hospital doors in the car park.
New mum Joanne, told the Mirror "I woke at 3.05am - and an hour later the babies were born. It was all a bit too quick. David was very calm throughout. I think the hospital want to give him a midwife's job!"
Congratulations to Joanne, and of course to David!
13.08.2010 - LGS News 'Shearing to go!'
OK, so this news post isn't really baby related but we thought it would raise a smile and it is for a great cause.......
A snippet from The Little Green Sheep's London 10k run, on behalf of The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID). We are happy to announce that Mark and Paul successfully completed the race (sheep costumes intact!) in under one hour!
Well done lads!
10.08.2010 - Celeb News 'Rod Stewart expects baby no. 8'
Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster yesterday announced that she is 3 months pregnant, and due to give birth just weeks after Rod's 66th birthday! Congratulations to them both....lets just hope Rod won't be re-using the cot mattress from his first child and that he will be buying new!
Hey Rod, The Little Green Sheep have 5% off via the NCT (code 'mynct') - every little helps!
05.08.2010 - Way to combat....Bed wetting
A common problem amongst many children, but parent's needn't worry as Baby London magazine recently highlighted the best ways to beat bed wetting.
With bed wetting not being linked to poor toilet training or laziness on the child's part, most children can resolve the situation using some simple measures.
1. Ensure that your child knows that you are there to help, getting angry can only put more pressure on your child. This approach will make sure they're on board with any new measures.
2. Try exercising control over his/her bladder during the day, use a timer or a watch with an alarm to try and prolong the time between toilet trips by 10 minutes each day.
3. Offer sips of drinks during the evening to reduce the need for drinks at bedtime (try nothing at all to drink 90 minutes before bedtime)
4. Try to avoid putting your child in a nappy, as it may help that they can feel when they are wet during the night
5. When your child wets the bed, try asking him/her to help you change themselves and the bed sheets
6. Make sure you have the right protective sheeting, as moisture/wetness in your baby mattress can encourage bacterial growth
The Little Green Sheep offer a range of waterproof cotton mattress protectors to help make this transition for you and your child that little bit easier.
03.08.2010 - Channel 4's 'Cant Sleep Kids' starts Tuesday 3rd at 9pm! Don't miss it!
A reminder to all parents with kids that can't sleep, Channel 4's new programme 'Cant Sleep Kids' starts this Tuesday 3rd at 9pm! This episode focuses on the sleep techniques of two industry experts, including our very own Chireal Shallow.
23.07.2010 - Natural fibre mattresses for a good nights sleep
Sleep expert, Chireal Shallow, encourages parents to look for a natural option when it comes to babies sleeping environments: “Not only is there a significant environmental impact of synthetic mattresses, babies spend around 18 hours a day asleep for their first two years, so their sleeping space can have a big impact on their health and the quality of sleep. I’m still surprised that more parents are not looking for natural fibre mattresses, over synthetic options.
Chireal continues to say,: “All the parents I work with have noticed a big improvement to babies sleep after switching to a natural mattress. Natural fibre mattresses are also naturally anti-allergenic and 100% breathable, helping babies to regulate their temperature unlike synthetic mattresses. I encourage all parents to look for natural fibre mattresses and organic cotton bedding.”
10.07.2010 - Memory foam
We get asked a lot from parents to be about whether baby mattresses that contain memory foam are recommended, and the simple answer is no! In fact leading organisations such as FSID recommend against using memory foam and instead opting for a firm, flat and breathable sleeping surface for your baby.
Thankfully, some mass manufacturers have recently stopped using memory foam in their mattresses. Other reasons for this is because memory foam (along with many other foam products) contains high amounts of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and formaldehydes, which have been linked with respiratory problems in babies. They are also high in other chemicals such as fire proofing chemicals.
The Little Green Sheep organic baby mattresses are entirely chemical free and meet all the necessary British Safety Standards, naturally!
04.07.2010 - Organic cot mattresses now with a 5 Year guarantee!
Choosing the right mattress for your baby is never easy, with the huge seleciton on offer all claiming various benefits. So to make things that little bit simpler, The Little Green Sheep now offer an unrivaled 5 year guarantee on all their cot and cot bed mattresses (the only supplier in the UK with a 5 year guarantee!).