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Mamma Fairy

Features

The Best Baby Clothes to Buy in 2021

Did you know that parents spend between $20,000 and $51,000 during the first year of their newborn’s life? Furniture, diapers, and formula are much of these costs, however, another main contributor to this expense is clothing.  If you want to prepare for your child’s growth, you will need to start buying clothes that are worth the money.  Continue reading to discover the best places to get baby clothes so that your little one can look cute and be fashionable!

Burt’s Bees

One of the best brands of baby clothes is Burt’s Bees.

Burt’s Bees uses organic cotton material, which provides extra comfort for the little one. Onesie designs are typically inspired by earthy patterns. You can find these clothes on Amazon, their site, or at Target. 

Children love this brand because they don’t deal with scratchy tags since Burt’s Bees uses fabric. There are clothing options for boys, girls, and unisex. If you are shopping for your baby, don’t overlook these clothes.

Gerber

Gerber childrenswear is often given as baby gifts because it is such a practical brand to have.

If you are looking for an affordable baby clothing brand that uses simple patterns and designs, this is the brand to shop with. Gerber has been around for more than 30 years and continues to uphold a positive reputation. 

The best part about Gerber is that if your child likes the material and you like the designs, they can wear the brand up to size 5T! Your baby will always look cute in these outfits and they mix and match well. 

Hanna Andersson

Many people recommend Hanna Andersson baby clothes because they are organic and come in many styles. 

Whether you have a newborn baby or a 1-year-old, you can find adorable clothing on the company website. Not only do they have plenty of outfits and onesies to choose from, but they also have matching outfits for the family. 

This is an excellent brand to support while shopping online because the company is sustainable. They use harm-free materials that are organic. They also use fair trade practices and try to cut back on waste. 

L’ovedbaby

Shopping online for baby clothes can be a frustrating process if you want to find neutral options.

L’ovedbaby is a great company to buy from because they have muted and neutral-colored clothing. If you are also looking for onesies and sleepers with fold-over sleeves, they have many options. Fold-over sleeves act as mittens for your baby, they help prevent them from scratching themselves or getting too cold. 

This brand uses 100% organic cotton material that is rid of heavy metals and formaldehyde. Since they use such high-quality material, the clothing is comfortable for the baby and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. 

Jazzy Organics

If you are looking for baby clothes that have bold patterns and use a lot of colors, Jazzy Organics is highly recommended. 

Jazzy Organic’s clothing comes in sizes 0 to 12 months and for kids, up to a 4T. They use certified-organic material and utilize safe farming practices to ensure that there is no cruelty. This is a great place to get rompers and bodysuits, which have become trendy for children.

As your child grows, they can still wear these clothes. This is because the cuffs and feet of the ropers fold over so that they can still fit. 

Posh Peanut

Another popular place to get baby clothes from is Posh Peanut.

Posh Peanut uses beautiful patterns and designs to create elegant clothing for your baby. They have trendy clothing items, such as rompers and tie-sleepers. By combining stylish patterns and organic materials, they create a wonderful product. 

This brand is preferred by mothers and babies because of its lightweight and comfortable material. The clothes are made from bamboo fiber, which is stretchy and breathable. Moms can find matching outfits for themselves to pair with the baby through this company. 

Gap Baby

If you are looking for a trustworthy brand that has a good reputation for creating quality clothing, check Gap.

Gap Baby clothes come in many sizes and there are different styles for newborns and growing sprouts. Depending on trends, Gap figures out the most stylish clothing for the time and incorporates it into children’s clothing. 

Soft fabrics, pastel colors, and large varieties of color are common things that Gap is known for. Shopping here is quite affordable, especially if you pay attention to their sales and savings events! 

Carter’s

A large competitor to Gerber and Gap Baby is Carter’s brand.

Carter’s baby clothing can be found at many stores and online. They have such a large range of options to choose from, that you can even find clothes for premature babies, under 5 pounds. Their preemie shop is highly recommended by hospitals and parents because finding the right size can be difficult at such a small stage. 

A lot of people shop for this brand because of its practicality. The company allows the use of coupons and participates in sales to keep prices competitive. Always look for an upcoming sale at your stores before buying items for your baby. 

Find the Best Baby Clothes

When it comes to buying baby clothes online or in stores, there are many factors to consider.

Organic options are beneficial to most children because they cause less skin irritation and are affordable. Whether you want intricate designs or simple patterns, there are brands that will meet your preference.

Try to stock up on clothes with fold-over cuffs and feet so that your child can wear them even as they grow. 

Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about shopping for your baby and getting everything they need to be comfortable! 

 

Features

3 Customer Concerns You Need To Address Right Now

online shopping

Pic Credit: Pexels

If you are looking for ways to put your business in a stronger position on the market, then it is going to be worth exploring what is bothering your customers right now. By addressing their concerns, you can remove the barriers that could be stopping them from buying from your business.

Online Security 

One report has suggested that by 2021, there will be a major hack on a business every 20 seconds. Be aware that this is slightly hyperbole as it doesn’t mean that all these hacks are going to be successful. It does however mean that companies are in danger and they are being targeted. You also can’t guarantee that if you’re running a small business your company will be overlooked either because that’s just not the case. Even if your business is relatively small a hacker could still target you because they know that you might not have the right security standards in place. 

If you are worried about this then you do need to think about ways that you can upgrade security in your business model. There are lots of ways that you can do that such as setting up a secure payment gateway. This ultimately means that every transaction that you make online is going to be encrypted and that can stop hackers in their tracks. 

Bad Reviews

If there are bad reviews for your business floating around online then it can be crippling for your company. You need to make sure that you are taking the right steps to address this. There are a few possibilities to explore but first, you have to understand where these negative reviews pop up. You need to do more than just checking Google. You have to be ready to look for mentions of your business across social media. Don’t forget that influencers will often post negatively and positively about different brands. Their reach can make them dangerous to your company. This is why you need to address negative complaints head on. 

You should do this in a public way and ensure that new customers can see what you are willing to do for them. 

Health And Safety

Finally, you do need to think about health and safety issues in your business model with a particularly strong focus on Covid. If you’re not taking the right steps here then you risk more than a fine. You could damage your business reputation because customers aren’t sure whether you are taking protecting them and your employees seriously. Obviously, healthy and safety issues do go beyond COVID and you need to make key improvements in your business model if there are problems here. For instance, you should definitely think about whether you are looking after your employees physically and emotionally. If you don’t then word could reach your customers. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key concerns of customers that you do need to address in your business right now. If you leave these to fester, they are going to damage your company in the long term. 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Reviews

One time Before Book Review

Last month we were very kindly offered a copy of “One Time Before” to review with the boys.  My pair love reading and we have shared our favourite books over the years on the blog.  Reading before bed is one of my favourite times of the day. The boys love it too, it gives us all time to unwind and chat.

One Time Before

One Time Before is a personalised children’s book which takes you back in time to when you were little.  It’s so easy to do, input names, select characters with likeness to those you wish to include and select the time period where you were the age your child is now ie 80s, 90s etc.

The books itself is really beautifully illustrated throughout with little details and throwback nostalgia moments. What we really love about this is how it prompts conversation and thought. I suppose for my five your old he never really thought mammy was once young but now we love chatting about the cars they had in the 80/90s, the types of foods I loved and what school was like for me.  We spent a Saturday morning on youtube looking up the cartoons I used to watch as a child. I’m not sure he was overly enthusiastic about the graphics in the 80s show but Duck Tales, Inspector Gadget and the Chipmunks got thumbs up!!!

One other thing about this book is the option to add a personalisation. I really think by doing this it really becomes a keepsake for him and me if im honest.

I’m a sentimental soul and this kind of book is right up my street.

I asked my five year old what he liked most and he said the lovely drawings. I have to agree it is beautifully illustrated and some really nice attention detail throughout especially in the throwback pages where the story transports back to mammy’s time as a kid.

Genuine thumbs up from us both, do check them out at One Time Before   as it would make a lovely Christmas gift. Do keep an eye out for posting dates though.

Note: We were kindly gifted a copy of this book. We were not asked nor expected to write a review however we loved the product and more than happy to support an Irish business. All views mine or the kids where appropriate.

 

 

Features

How To Choose A Self-Storage Company

Being a parent isn’t easy. One of the things that parents often find is that they become mired in a crisis of accumulation. Simply put, items pile up. When new kids come into the family, it might seem sensible to move to a bigger house or store the things you just can’t fit into your space. More often than not, this involves renting a self-storage facility unless you are willing to let your things go.

At first glance, self-storage seems self-explanatory. Surely it is just a space in which you can keep your things? Well, it is, and it isn’t. Choosing the right self-storage option depends on a host of factors. The self-storage industry is huge, and there is a big disparity between the best and the worst operators. 

Here are some of the key things you should look for when choosing a self-storage facility for your precious things:

Security

This is perhaps the most crucial factor to consider when choosing a place to store your items. Self-storage facilities are a favorite target for professional thieves. 

Because storage facilities almost always contain valuable property and are rarely staffed appropriately, criminals have long exploited poorly secured lock ups. A simple padlock on the door of the facility won’t help. A good self-storage facility will have comprehensive CCTV coverage, multiple layers of physical security, and human security guards available 24 hours a day. 

Most thefts from self-storage facilities happen when people pretend to be clients and then exploit security weaknesses when they have been allowed in. Choose a self-storage company that trains its staff to screen for people like this. 

Location

storage

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Location, location, location. Don’t be fooled into renting a lock-up that you have to drive hours to get to. The convenience of a self-storage unit is completely nullified if you have to trek out into the sticks to access your belongings!

Many self-storage companies, such as TheStorageLocker.com, have multiple locations. Be sure to choose one close to you. Getting a cheaper deal might not be worth it if you end up spending your money on food and childcare. 

Accessibility

If you work or look after your family full time, you will likely have to attend your lock up at night. A dark warehouse can be a scary place. If you need 24-hour access to your belongings, make sure you choose a self-storage company that lights the facilities all night. 

Consider the neighborhood your belongings will be in. If you don’t feel like getting out into the country or don’t feel comfortable in a rough area at night, be sure to choose a storage company that operates out of a safe, accessible place. 

Staffing

A surprisingly large amount of self-storage facilities are barely staffed. They are simply huge warehouses full of lock ups. Often, they are silent and unwelcoming places. It is good practice to choose a self-storage facility that is well staffed. After all, you might have an issue you need to take up, notice a security breach, or require assistance moving your belongings.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

How to Continue Progressing Your Career at Home During Lockdown

Right now, millions of employees right across the world are working from home. In these uncertain times, having secure employment can feel like a luxury, but you may be concerned about your long term career progression. When you are working from home and missing out on the one-to-one interaction with your colleagues and boss, it can be challenging to gauge your performance and to find ways to get noticed. If you were next in line for a promotion before you made the shift to working from home, then you may be eager not to lose career momentum and for your hard work to go to waste. Here are some of the ways that you can continue to progress your career without being in the office:

Boost Your Productivity

laptop

Pic Credit: Pixabay

One concern that many employers have always had about remote working is the worry that their team may slack while away from the office environment. The fear that employees will sit around watching Netflix in their pyjamas rather than working is a big part of the reluctance to foster a work from home culture.

Increasing your productivity while working from home is an excellent way to make yourself stand out and to show that you have the initiative and work ethic to give your role your undivided attention, even in these challenging times. To be able to boost your productivity, you need to feel more comfortable working from home and create a working setup that enables you to deliver your best performance. Studies show that the work environment can have a significant impact on productivity levels, so making sure that your workspace suits your needs is vital.

Keep Communicating

Just because you are not in the office, it doesn’t mean that you cannot communicate with your colleagues, and more importantly, keep in touch with your boss. If you have regular catch-ups and progress meetings with your manager in the office, then these should continue when you are working from home albeit in a virtual capacity. These meetings, whether they are a phone call or via Zoom, should enable you to let your boss know what you are working on and to receive feedback on your performance. It is easy to lose motivation and feel disconnected from work when you are at home, so these meetings should help you to keep your motivation levels high and subtly remind your boss that you are keen to drive your career forward.

Carry on Learning

Life in lockdown has put an end to socialising right now, so why not use this time to develop your skillset? While lockdown may have scuppered many plans, it does present an opportunity for you to take on some CPD via distance learning. Having extra professional qualifications is an excellent way to stand out from the other candidates when applying for promotions. Continuing training through an online training program will also help you to keep your brain occupied and ensure that your professional knowledge is as up to date as possible.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

3 Activities You Can Participate in This Winter

Winter is a fantastic time for togetherness with those who matter in your life, excellent food, and heightened moods.  When the cold weather strikes, and we want to keep warm, it may feel like our choices for activities are limited.  They don’t have to be!  Here are three of the most fun activities anyone can enjoy during winter, even while social distancing.

Indoors Picnics and Camping

Although we’re all too familiar with those we’ve lived with through this pandemic, that doesn’t mean we can’t get closer.  Instead of digging through Banff homes for sale to get a little space, come together to create some fun memories.  Camping is a fun and creative way to spruce up any living room or den.  You can go all the way and set up a tent indoors, but the more cozy version would be to make a blanket and pillow fort.  Fill this area up with all of your favorite comforts, put a campfire YouTube video on the television, and eat some good food together.  You can toast marshmallows over unscented candles and drink hot chocolate while telling stories or reminiscing about other years.  This idea is a great way to connect more emotionally and be a lot of fun for any family or household.

Drop-Off Bake-Offs

cookie

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Winter is the best time to bake!  Not only does it heat your home a little more, but it also ensures everyone can enjoy some delicious treats.  Unfortunately, there’s only so much food you can have everyone in your home try before they get sick of cookies and sweets.  Consider having a drop-off bake-off!  In this event, everyone bakes or cooks something that they can package up into small boxes and then leaves it on each other’s doorsteps.  This plan is better with food that can sit for a moment so that you can leave it behind without worrying about anyone catching an illness.  This task may be a competition, where someone can win the best cookie or be treated like a potluck where everyone gets their special treats.  Either way, it’s an excellent way to feel connected.

Enjoy The Outdoors

As long as you’re responsible and thoughtful, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the outdoors from 2020 to 2021.  Winter makes many people feel restless and uneasy, so the best way to get some vitamin D and a little fresh air is to get out into the elements.  To keep this safe, use your backyard or a public area where you know that nobody else will be within twenty feet of your family.  From there, you can set up games like tag-football in the snow, build snowmen, or enjoy a wintery hike.  Pack some hot chocolate or hot tea, and enjoy the clean air and good company.  When you leave, make sure to clean up any trash and leave only footprints!  Doing this once in a while, and letting yourselves cut loose and get out some of that peaky energy, is a great way to leave everyone happier for the rest of the season.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

3 Hidden Facts about Philadelphia

Philadelphia is home to endless firsts.  From America’s first zoo to the first hospital and medical school, this city is used to being cutting edge and different.  Still, there are plenty of things the rest of the world doesn’t know about the City of Brotherly Love.  

Philadelphia Was Home To The First Computer

philadelphia skyline

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Computers are a part of our daily life more than most other modern inventions.  Not only do we use our laptops and desktops, but our phones themselves have arguably become computers as well!  It may surprise many to know, then, that the first computer ever was created in Philadelphia.  In 1946, the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Electrical Engineering created the world’s first computer.  Although it would be considered a calculator in modern days, it’s still an invention that few can play down the importance of.  This computer helped usher the world into the incredible technological landscape we have now, where kids are learning how to code before they know how to write in cursive.

Home To One Of The Most Haunted Houses

Although every city has its own ghost stories and haunted houses, Philadelphia is home to one of the world’s most active haunted buildings.  Chestnut Hill, one of the more expensive areas in the city if you’re looking at Philadelphia houses for sale, is home to Baleroy Mansion.  Built-in 1911, this gorgeous house is unassuming and straightforward from the outside.  Once you step in, that’s another story.  People claim to hear voices and see figures, even when they’re entirely alone.  This thirty-two room estate has been called the most haunted home in America after many people have claimed to have experienced dozens of symptoms that would say something supernatural is going on.

To add to the mysticism, the mansion has even been home to something called the Napoleon Deal Chair.  In life, Napoleon Bonaparte owned this seat, and in death seems to have become a plaything for spirits.  According to the owners, at least four people have died in dramatically sudden ways too soon after sitting in this seat for the first time.  The number of deaths reached so high that the chair owner locked it away into storage to keep any future daredevils from accidentally meeting an unpleasant end.

Storing Slices of Einstein’s Brain

Albert Einstein is a man the world may never forget.  A genius in theoretical physics and an extremely intelligent in the philosophy of science, Einstein’s name is one that’s forever tied to intelligence and quick-wittedness.  When he passed, slices of his brain were removed and preserved to allow for future studying.  There’s hope that by studying his brain, we can uncover what incredible pathways his mind took to solve complex problems and further humanity.  Slices of his brain are still kept in Philadelphia, in the Mutter Museum, where you can study his mind more directly than anyone could in his lifetime.

Philadelphia is a stunning and gorgeous city.  If you haven’t visited, or you missed out on the bit of history, consider taking a trip soon!  All of the hype is worth it!

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

4 Little Know Healthcare Careers You May Not Have Thought of

The healthcare field is incredibly vast. As a result, some areas have great demand, but have difficulty attracting top talent. This isn’t because they are not high paying jobs or have bad conditions, but mainly because not enough people know about them. Knowing what these underserved sectors are could give you an edge and allow you to find great positions with little competition and great pay. While these jobs may have varying requirements for medical training, they will be jobs you would use medical terminology for which can be learned in time, so don’t be put off when you see words you may not initially understand. Let’s take a look at a few lesser-known healthcare careers you could consider.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

One of the most promising fields in healthcare right now is medical sonography. But, what is a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Diagnostic medical sonographers are responsible for taking images of the human body so that doctors and other healthcare professionals can make diagnostics. These can be achieved through a sonogram or ultrasound. This is one of the fastest-growing jobs in healthcare with demand increasing by 12% by the year 2029, which is way higher than the national average. You can get a position with an associate’s degree, but you’ll have a greater chance if you get a bachelor’s in medical sonography. 

Nuclear Pharmacist

Pic Credit: Pixabay

If you have no idea what a nuclear pharmacist is and what they do, you’re not alone. But in reality, their job is simple. All they do is prepare drugs that have some kind of radioactive component. These are then used in nuclear medicine. While these are often used to treat cancers, they are also used to treat a variety of bone, brain, and heart conditions.

Perfusionists

When people think of open-heart surgery, they usually think about surgeons or maybe anesthesiologists. But you won’t hear many talk about perfusionists. Yet, they play one of the most important roles in the procedure. Perfusionists are responsible for running the ‘heart-lung’ machines that replicate the job of the heart during surgery. These machines are also responsible for performing the lungs’ function.

Becoming a perfusionist requires that you go through a long formation; four years to be exact. But the effort is well worth it if that’s something you’re passionate about and have the disposition needed to play such a crucial role.

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists also play a very important role in the healthcare industry. These are those who collect blood samples and send them for analysis. This is a very unique job because of how close of a contact you’ll have with patients. 

You will be interacting with people of all ages and walks of life. This is why being compassionate is an important part of the job. You’ll need to have the empathy to put people who might be afraid of getting their blood collected at ease.

This is a good option if you don’t want to spend too much time on your studies. You can find post-secondary programs that will last anywhere from eight weeks to a year, after which you may have to take additional certification depending on your state.

These are all great options if you want a career that’s a little out of the ordinary. If you feel like any of the above could be your calling, we strongly suggest you speak with a career counselor today.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

What are the Benefits of Physical Education for Children?

soccer ball

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Physical Education (PE) in schools can be considered a medicine for the mind, body, and soul, both at present and in the future. It allows all students (not just those with an interest in sport) to be active on a weekly basis, which is a growing concern for parents as today’s generation of young people become increasingly more obsessed with staying indoors and playing on their digital devices. An international school in Bristol explore the benefits of PE in further detail below.

Sport acts as an outlet for young people to release tension and anxiety that might have been building up during other areas of their life, such as their schoolwork or personal relationships. Exercise releases “feel good” chemicals in the brain which gives young people a mood boost, while also helping them battle things like obesity and other physical health issues. 

However, as well as being good for a child’s physical and mental wellbeing, PE lessons teach students a range of key life skills, such as self-discipline and leadership. What’s more, they learn how to set and reach for realistic goals. Once those goals are achieved, the child will experience a well-deserved self-esteem boost. Through sport, children also learn how to work as part of a team, respecting their peers and communicating effectively to reach a common goal, like winning a football match. 

So, with the health benefits and the various skills that are developed through PE, one can expect a child who engages in sporting activities to perform better in other areas of their education. They return to their classroom lessons with a fresh perspective and the confidence to try their best. With that said, parents may find it beneficial to encourage their children to join sporting pursuits outside of school to further enhance their abilities. The school may provide these extra-curricular activities, but there will also be various options available to young people in your local area. 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

How to Raise a Science Lover

All parents want the best for their children, especially where their education is concerned. With that said, it’s a good idea to help your child find an interest in a range of different subjects, including science, from a young age. Excellent grades in science might help your child secure a successful career in a variety of superb industries, from medicine to astronomy. It’s also a subject that can help young people develop fantastic personal skills, like problem solving, communication and research. An independent boys’ school in Marylebone have shared the following advice on how to raise a science lover.  

kids

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Start by showing your child how normal science is and how present it is in our everyday lives. You can do this by making it a topic that is discussed regularly in your home. For example, when you’re all sitting at the dinner table for your evening meal, you could discuss a severe weather reports in a foreign country or a medical breakthrough you’ve read about in the news earlier in the day. Next time you’re out for a drive, ask your child if they know what makes the car move or how the engine works. If a relative has recently recovered from an illness, you could discuss the immune system and how it works, as well as the foods we can eat to help boost it.

Younger children love experiments and exploration, so you could plan a scavenger hunt next time you go to the park, encouraging them to look out for different plant and wildlife. Next time they have a bath, take along some different objects and investigate whether they sink or float, or whether they are absorbent. Even watching a science-related film or documentary is a great way to help your children explore the subject and start learning more about the world around them. 

Don’t be afraid to contact your child’s school for some more advice regarding science-based activities you could do at home. They will be able to recommend some suitable learning resources or even online games that your child could play in their spare time, making science feel more fun. What’s more, they’ll be able to talk to you about the curriculum so that you can understand what topics your child will be covering in school, giving you an opportunity to complement these themes with your home activities. 

Note: This is a collaborative post