Mamma Reviews

ZAs you might already know we are in the throes of weaning here in the Mamma Fairy house.  Its something that I for some unknown reason dreaded! This is what prompted me to write this post.  There are a couple of products im using that are making the process a whole lot easier!

BabyPotz

BabyPotz are incredibly handy BPA free containers that come in ten differentr sizes.  They are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe.  The are ideal for batch cooking. On my first I used ice cube trays in various sizes but the downside was they just weren’t portable and for us who travel a bit weren’t the most practical. I picked up a set of 20 3oz pots and lids in Bella Baby Maynooth, however they are readily available on line and in stores. They are not expensive at €8.99 for 20 as they are durable and I have been re using them over the last while and they are still in perfect condition.  I also have been using them for the oldest fella to send some snacks to playschool in.

There is also a handy associated website that I have been using for tips and advice www.mummycooks.ie  which is run by Siobhan Berry, a mum herself. Don’t forget good bibs will be essential, love this from BIBaDO.

Neven Maguire – Complete Baby & Toddler Cookbook

I got sent this book by Gill & Macmillian  which was perfectly timed as we were just getting ready to commence weaning.  This book is very useful, its easy to follow, straight forward and contain lots of different food combinations from the basic first tastes, to more exciting varied tastes suitable for the toddler years.

Its actually really handy for us, as I am using it for the littlest man and also the big man!  Slightly off the weaning topic but I love this size and presentation of this book!  What I like is that its encouraging me to try out additional tastes on the weaning journey for example, today’s batch cooking consisted of butternut squash with a pinch of cinnamon.  For my first I wouldn’t have been brave enough to be introducing herbs and spices this early but the little man devours it. There is also a nice section in the back for handy treats to make for parties or celebrations.

Ill be the first to admit, cooking isn’t my strong point but this book is incredibly easy to follow and the kids are enjoying more of a variety of foods as a result. Book is available in most book shops for €18.99.

Bio Kult Infantis

Not a product as such however this a live ‘good’  bacteria formula suitable for infants and toddlers. The formula also contains omega 3 and vitamin d.  I am not a doctor, pharmacists of health practitioner therefore im only taking from my own experience.  In my opinion from milk to solids is a big change for the tiny tummies of babies therefore I wanted help my littles man digestive system as best I could.  I received a sample sachet of this product which I used over 3 days.  I straight away went out and bought a box in my local chemist.

My little man was a great sleeper from 6 weeks from the time weaning commenced this went down hill dramatically! Rightly or wrongly I attributed this to his little tummy finding it hard to process the solids.  After 2 days there was a massive improvement.  We are one week in now using Bio Kult and he is sleeping much better.  Now it may be a total coincidence but im not taking a chance and im going to keep using them. A box of 16 sachets cost me €11.99.  I only use about a third of a sachet popped into his milk.

They are easy to use and what I like is they don’t have to be kept in the fridge like other pro-biotics I have used in the past making them very handy if you are out and about or traveling

Would love to know how your own weaning journey is going. If you have any comments or questions, don’t hesitate to contact on here, Twitter or Facebook.

Take care

~Mamma F

I was delighted to be asked to attend the launch of Cardtrix – a new loyalty shopping app which was launched today in Stephens Green by the fabulous Pippa O’Connor.

Myself and my blog buddy OneYummyMummy attended the press call and subsequent demonstration in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, where the Pippa spoke about her thoughts on the app and Fiachra Woodman, Vice President of Aimira Global Innovation Lab, the company behind the production of the app itself gave a demonstration of it in use.

I will admit I was pretty excited about this app as I am that annoying person at the checkout who rifles through loads of loyalty cards before I find the correct card!! I am a little ott about loyalty cards. I have them all, from Supermarket ones, to hotel ones to petrol one and the list goes on.

This new app Cardtrix is going to be a godsend for me (and probably anybody who has ever had the pleasure of serving me or waiting behind me at a checkout). This app acts as a digital assistant managing my loyalty cards in one place – like a digital wallet. The app is supported by the major supermarket loyalty programmes from Dunnes to Tesco to Boots, as well as the likes of Debenhams, Costa, Topaz amongst other. I also understand over time new loyalty programs will be added. However I must admit my heart did do a little flutter when I realised I could sign up for cards I didn’t already have! (there wasn’t many!)

It is so simple to use, even for a non techie like me, you simply add in your card number manually or for the ones with barcodes you can scan them in. It literally took me a couple of minutes to upload my considerable collection of loyalty cards. The great thing about the app is that all I need to do now is show the app to the cashier who scans the relevant barcode and my points are added to my account. I can also check my balances, configure the types of emails id like to receive and it sets out the listed benefits for each loyalty program.

Now for the techie bit! The app – Cardtrix is available for both iphone and android phones free of charge from App Store and Google Play Store respectively. The app itself supports the loyalty programmes of 13 major retailers in Ireland. The company behind the development are Aimia, who themselves are global leaders in loyalty programs.

I will report back next week after my weekly shopping is done and let you know how I got on with using the app day to day.

For now, if you would like any further information – see www.cardtrix.co

Take care

~Mamma F

A couple of weeks ago after my second was born my skin became so dry. I have never had dry skin, in fact I moaned about my oily skin (I take it back now!). I reached out on social media for some help and tried and tested a couple of different products. Thankfully I found three that made such a difference.

1 – Bioderma Micellar Water

Ok! Before the make up buffs give out to me, since having my first, my taking off makeup routine consisted of walking bleary eyed up the stairs wiping my make up off with a baby wipe! Yes, I know its not great so when I was kindly sent some Bioderma products to try I decided to give it a go. I had heard lots and seen lots of different brands of micellar water in shops and wasn’t really sure what to expect. I must say I was pleasantly surprised it really does remove all traces of make up off including stubborn mascara. Its also super quick, I use on a bit of cotton wool (what new mum doesn’t have plenty cotton wool!!!) and make up is off in a flash.

Its not drying or oily which I expected it to be. I can safely say I have ditched the baby wipes to wash off my makeup for good. On the rare moments I get some time to myself, I do like to give my skin a good deep cleanse but for the tired-no-time-mummy days, its all about the micellar water for me.

It is only new to the Irish market but available from most chemists.

2 – Bia Beauty Skin Superfood

I purchased this product on-line from a company in Cork called Bia Beauty (actually love that name!). They produce a range of natural skin care products at great prices. I ordered the 50 ml of this product and it was out of stock and was sent the 100ml for the same price, that is good customer service.

I used this product after taking my makeup off every evening. I actually applied it quite liberally and let soak in overnight. The texture is lovely and there is little of no scent from it. The listed ingredients include the traditional soothing herbs of comfrey, calendula and mallow. It took about 4 or 5 nights of using it to really start to see the difference. I was delighted to see it left my skin very smooth and really moisturised the dry patches particularly around my jaw line where they were worst.

Once my skin was re hydrated I went back to using a normal moisturiser but I do go back to this product when my skin gets dry, which seems to be around the time of the month for me since having babies. Its great to find a product that works and at such a good price and Irish which is also a bonus for me.

3 – Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturiser
Stretch marks!!! Need I say anymore about them. I didn’t get any on my first but suffered badly on my second. After having the section my tummy area was so tender and I couldn’t bear to rub cream on it so it was great to get a product which was moisturising but in a spray.

I used (and still do) this after ever shower (but not on the scar itself) and it really does moisturise the skin on my tummy area. I am certainly not under the illusion that this was going to cure them or even get rid of the crinkled skin ( im sure there is a better technical term for this!). It did however much improve the effect of the crinkled part around my belly button.

I’m all about speed! After all with having kids every second counts, so this is so quick to use, it sprays evening literally in a matter of second and dries almost instantly, smells divine too.

I threw this in on impluse during my weekly shopping and im glad I did, ill keep using it for sure. It is available in most supermarkets and chemists.

~ Mamma F