Reviews by Saffia Farr, Alice Ellerby, Flora Pervez and Sophie Milne
This natural nasal spray helps to moisturise and clean the nasal passages, particularly when they are dry. It’s really easy to use and is made with soothing organic aloe vera, in a natural saline solution that perfectly matches the body’s balance of sodium and potassium salts, so the spray is well tolerated by the mucous membranes. Being 100% natural means Rhinodoron can be used safely over protracted periods for daily nasal hygiene, and can also be used when pregnant and breastfeeding. My teenage son has used this spray to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. He found it soothing and it helped to stop his nose feeling dry, sore and itchy. SF
£10.50 for 20ml
We bought a Trybike from Daisy Tree Baby Boutique for our daughter’s 1st birthday, and she has loved using it so far. The seat can be lowered right down when they are little, and she can sit on the seat and push herself along on her own. This is great for learning to steer. She is also learning how to stop, as she can pop her feet on the ground easily. The Trybike is excellent quality, and the colours it comes in are beautiful. It can be converted in a few simple steps into a balance bike when she’s older, so it’s great that it will last for ages. I definitely recommend this bike to anyone looking for an all-in-one bike for their child. And because it lasts for years, it works out as good value for money too. SM
£144.95
This is a wonderful craft kit to inspire children to spend time in nature. Inside the hamper, there’s a wooden bird house to decorate, plant pots to grow things in, a garden decoration to paint, as well as the paints, colouring pencils, bio glitter, brushes and sponges to help you get crafting. Everything has been sourced sustainably with reuse in mind. The glitter comes in glass pots stopped with cork. I would have loved these magical potion pots as a child! My daughter was instantly drawn to the glitter too, and we enjoy looking to see if any birds have made a home in our new bling bird box! We have planted seeds in the pots and are currently waiting for them to sprout. The beauty of these activities is that they can open up an ongoing enjoyment of gardening and nature. AE
From £42
Under the Sea Organic Bodysuit
I love this Under the Sea design: the fish and octopus are full of character! The colours are sumptuous and vibrant – there’s no gender stereotyping here; just bold prints that appeal to children’s interests and sense of fun. This bodysuit receives a lot of compliments! It’s made of a lovely thick and soft organic cotton. Merle Kids’ clothing is designed for babies and children to be able to move easily in, and the cut of the bodysuit around the legs, neck and arms (which have capped sleeves) is generous and comfortable, and it is fastened securely with good-quality poppers. Merle Kids has a range of clothing in this fabric, including dresses, T-shirts and leggings, available for ages 0–3. AE
£20.25
Baltic Amber and Hazelwood Length
This is such a beautiful and delicate necklace for a baby, made from Baltic amber and hazelwood beads. (It can also be worn as an anklet.) It is lightweight and the perfect length – it didn’t bother my baby at all when I first put it on her. There is a hand-tied double knot between every bead, so if breaks, only one bead comes loose, and it is finished with a safety screw clasp. The beads are designed to relieve the symptoms of teething and eczema. The way it works is very clever: the hazelwood neutralises the excess acid present with any acidic condition (such as teething, acid reflux or eczema) and the Baltic amber deals with any pain and inflammation. My baby first started wearing this when teething, and she has eczema, and the beads definitely helped to calm the intensity of both. Each piece of jewellery is handmade in the Bizzie Bee Jewellery workshop in Cornwall. AE
£23 for 28cm length
The Cherrybottoms’ pocket nappy is fantastic. It is easy to assemble and use, so is great if you’re out and about. The inserts snap together with poppers and tuck inside the outer shell, which has a very effective stay-dry lining. Even when the inserts were soaked, the lining, made from athletic wicking jersey, remained dry, as did my baby’s bottom. It is made to fit babies from 8lbs to 35lbs, and there are four rise settings, which are easily adjusted to suit your baby’s size. It is a slim fit, so it doesn’t appear bulky under clothing or restrict movement. Included in the pocket nappy is the cover and two bamboo cotton inserts. The PUL outer shell is soft and flexible and comes in a range of gorgeous prints. The nappy washes well and dries quickly. Highly recommended and a great nappy to start with if you are looking to make the switch to reusables. AE
£19.50
This is the first time I have tried a woven baby wrap. Initially, I was slightly daunted by how to tie it. But it came with a helpful instruction booklet, and Oscha has tutorials you can follow on YouTube. After a couple of tries, I was confident with the front wrap cross carry. The material is darker on one side, lighter on the other, which really helps with knowing if you’re pulling at the right bit of fabric! My 10-month-old was very happy in the wrap: she felt snug and secure, and she nodded off easily. The soft fabric (50% organic combed cotton and 50% Tencel) is beautiful, and didn’t take any wearing in. I normally use a carrier that fastens with straps and buckles, and I was surprised by how much more comfortable this wrap is. The way the fabric wraps around your body means the weight of your child is evenly distributed. It comes in a range of sizes to fit your body, and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood. AE
From £109.20
The thing I like about Music with Henry is that it encourages you to sing about anything to your baby. It’s great to have totally new songs and actions to teach Zain. As a mum of two, I feel like music and singing is the best way to engage with both children at the same time. The breakfast song is a lifesaver: it really holds their attention, keeping them happy and letting them feel like they are involved in what Mummy is doing. My toddler loves singing the nature songs outside about the things we see on our walks. It makes her so aware of her environment – the animals she spots, even the leaves falling from the trees. There are songs for every occasion, and it’s such a wonderful way of communicating. FP
£37 for lifetime access
The Lyonsleaf Hand Rescue Kit has been created for hard-working hands. It’s perfect for gardeners and hands that are washed or sanitised a lot. It really is a tonic for dry skin. Included in the set are two 30ml pots of Calendula and Marshmallow Balm (a wonder product!) – one for home and one for your bag, one 30ml pot of Zinc and Calendula Cream, and a bar of Natural Calendula Soap. My hands are prone to dryness, especially if I’ve been out in the elements, and this set is fantastic for soothing the skin and helping to prevent damage. The cream and the balm are super-concentrated, so you only have to use tiny amounts and they last for ages. The beautiful glass pots are a handy size for carrying around with you. As with all Lyonsleaf products, the set is 100% natural and free from allergens, irritants, and artificial chemicals. They are cruelty-free and handmade in the UK using homegrown herbs. AE
£29.99
Win a six-month supply of books from Reading Chest