My confession: I'm a whore.

A pram whore.

I have tried and tested them all. My kids thinks prams are like undies, you change them every day (or two). My next confession, what I have spent for my love of prams - would have covered a few months mortgage. 

These are the prams that I've spent my whole piggy bank on:
1. Bugaboo Chameleon
2. Mclaren Quest
3. Bugaboo Bee
4. Mountain Buggy Duet
5. Bugaboo Donkey

So I thought that I would save you a lot of money (and time, blood, sweat and most importantly fights with your husbands) and review a few different ones for you so over the next few weeks I'll blog "The Pram Whore Diaries" and present some new options for you. Maybe some that you hadn't considered for yourself.

REDSBABY BOUNCE STROLLER

Here's another confession.. The designer of this pram was my first boyfriend. How weird is life! Year 6 hand holders to chatting prams and the "mother business" together. Brett Redelman (that's the hand holder) and his wife Meagan spoke to so many mums to find out exactly what they wanted from a pram and what is most important is that they actually listened and voila! Redsbaby Bounce Stroller was born!

If you are going to buy one pram - this just might be the one! It does absolutely everything and most importantly looks stylish doing it. Its perfect for a newborn (if you get the bassinet) and then switch over to reversible seat for older babies and toddlers. Both my one and two year old were very happy sitting in it!

It gets the Sleep Consultant Tick because the seat reclines so your baby can sleep beautifully and you can check up on them through the magnetic peekaboo window on the retractable sun canopy.

It also get my Nana-Proof Tick. To take it in and out of the car between shops is really no dramas, there's just one step to fold it. Hand it over to your mum to babysit and she won't struggle with it at all, (I have seen many grandparents ready to ditch the pram on the side of the road rather than continuing to press every button so it can collapse and they can shove it in the boot!) It's also just 8kg so its really no workout at all!

One of my favourite features is that you don't even really need to take a nappy bag out with you when taking it out. It has an organiser on the back that makes a disorganised mum like me look like a Pinterest-together kind of mother which I guarantee you is a hard task. The underneath storage can easily fit all the rest of the crap that we bring out. So it gets a the OMG Extras Tick,

Obviously it gets a massive Tick for Safety (boring I know but I have to mention it). It's one of the only prams to comply with the latest Australian safety standards. How much does that freak you out!

I have another tick to dish out. The Bang For Your Buck Tick. $499 for the pram alone of $549 for the pram and bassinet. It doesn't really get better than this.. You can generally get some decent umbrellas strollers for that price but not a sound pram like this. Nothing compares...


My last tick is the Ah-Maze Tick. And that's for the look of it. So stylish. It comes in really great colours and patterns. I'm going to confess something else. I was one of the mothers that Brett came to talk to in the beginning stages and my couch cushion is where the idea of the Chevron came from. It's Ah-maze!
 

check them out at www.redsbaby.com.au

Now that you know my thoughts, you have the chance to WIN a  REDSBABY BOUNCE STROLLER & BASSINET SET valued at $549! Competition ends 11:59pm AEST 4/3/14. Open to Australian residents. See previous blog post for further terms and conditions. 

But here is how you can enter (super easy!)

FACEBOOK 
Go to Bellies & Beyond Facebook page here 'like' my page and comment 'sweet dreams' underneath the giveaway picture. 

BONUS ENTRY when you tag a friend in the comments section who you think you would love this Redsbaby Bounce Stroller & Bassinet Set 

INSTAGRAM
Enter on Bellies & Beyond instagram page @belliesandbeyond and follow the repost/hashtag instructions

EMAIL
Sign up to the Bellies & Beyond newsletter database at the top of this page 

 

 


www.belliesandbeyond.com.au

Rebecca Abraham, known to clients as a "baby expert". Rebecca has implemented an easy-to-follow and gentle approach for both parent and child. Taught by sleep guru Kim West (author of Good Night, Sleep Tight) she believes she will have the sleep solutions you exhausted parents are looking for. 

Rebecca has completed the Gentle Sleep Coach course which is a one of the most comprehensive and few dedicated sleep courses in the world, learning from Kim West herself as well as top lactation specialists, newborn experts and several leading paediatrians.

Drawing upon her training as an early childhood educator, infant massage therapist, pre- and post-natal doula and sleep consultant, she has a uniquely multidisciplinary approach to your issues and thus can help you and your family develop a personalized and holistic sleep plan that suits you and your child. 

Most importantly, she is a mother to two sleeping beauties Mikah and Rafaella.

Redsbaby Bounce Stroller & Bassinet Set Giveaway!

I am so excited to bring to you this fantastic giveaway from Redsbaby. If you follow our Bellies & Beyond Facebook page (thank you!) you will already know about this amazing promotion. And if you don't, you can follow us on Facebook here
 
I am giving away a Redsbaby Bounce Stroller & Bassinet Set valued at $549! Details on how to enter are below - don't miss out as it ends 4/3/14. 

FACEBOOK Enter on Bellies & Beyond Facebook page  here 'Like' the page and comment ‘sweet dreams’ underneath the giveaway picture (as above)

BONUS ENTRY  if you tag a friend in the comments, who you think would love this new Redsbaby Bounce Stroller& Bassinet Set.

INSTAGRAM Enter on Bellies & Beyond Instagram page @belliesandbeyond and follow the repost/hashtag instructions!

EMAIL Sign up to the Bellies & Beyond email at the top of this page

Once you have entered check out the fantastic products at  www.redsbaby.com.au and stay tuned for my review of this stroller and more coming to the blog soon.  

Sweet dreams

Terms & Conditions - Redsbaby Bounce Stroller & Bassinet Giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS: REDSBABY STROLLER GIVEAWAY

1. Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these Conditions of Entry. Participation in this promotion is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

2. Entry is only open to Australian residents.

3. The Promoter reserves the right to verify the validity of entries and to disqualify any entrant.

4. Promotion commences at 10:00am AEDST 18/2/2014. Entries close at 11:59pm AEDST on 4/3/14 (the Promotion Period).

5. Winner will be selected at random from all combined entries on Facebook, Instagram and email registrations. Winners will be notified via email or private message if selected from Facebook or email database. If winner is selected from Instagram the winner must contact Bellies & Beyond via email within 7 days to claim their prize.

6. Total prize pool value is AUD $549 RRP inc GST and prize is a Redsbaby Bounce Stroller & Bassinet set. Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in the prize value. Prizes or any unused portion of a prize are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.

11. The Promoter may review further entries, at the same place as the original judging is held, as are necessary on 3/3/2014 in order to distribute any prize unclaimed by that date.

12. In the event that a prize, or an element of a prize, is/are not available, the Promoter reserves the right to substitute prize(s) in its discretion to the same and equal recommended retail value and/or specification subject to any written directions from the various lottery Departments.

13. If for any reason this competition is not capable of running as planned (including but not limited to) infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupts or affect the administration security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this competition, the Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and, subject to any written directions given by the various Lottery Departments, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition.

14. The Promoter is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site, or any combination thereof, (including but not limited to) any injury or damage to participants or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in this competition.

15. Any costs associated with accessing the Bellies & Beyond page on Facebook, Instagram or website is the entrant’s responsibility and is dependent on the Internet service provider used.

16. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for personal injury which is suffered or sustained, as a result of participating in this promotion or accepting any of the prizes, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.

17. In the event of war, terrorism, state of emergency or disaster the Promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the promotion subject to any written directions from the various lottery Departments.

18. The Promoter shall not be liable for any merchandise that has been lost, stolen, forged, damaged or tampered with in any way.

19. All entries are deemed to be received at the time of receipt into the promotional database and not at the time of transmission by the entrant.

20. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Entrants understand that they are providing their information to the Promoter and not to Facebook. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the promotion must be directed to Bellies and Beyond, 10A Princess Street, Rose Bay, Sydney NSW 2029 Phone: 0422312113

21. The Promoter is Bellies and Beyond of 10A Princess Street, Rose Bay, Sydney NSW 2029. ABN 82 066 170 869.

So What... A blog about mummy wars

I read an article about these fantastic mothers in Connecticut who are trying to break down the concept of the mummy wars. I don't think I am an overly opinionated mother, I think I have mentioned before that sometimes my opinions aren't that strong simply because I'm just too tired to be that passionate about anything really. Do you want to know what I feel strongly about? One word. Survival. Just do what you need to do to get through that day. If at the end of the day your kids are happy, well-fed (or even just fed) and somewhat polite children, then you are doing a fabulous job. If you can also do this having showered, eaten and brushed your teeth that day, well then that's a double bonus!

I think the 'mummy wars' starts at pregnancy, I remember getting a funny look when I ate some frozen yogurt. I started eating it, delicious spoon by even more delicious spoon and my friend finally blurted out "it's so good that your so relaxed about eating things like this, I was way too worried about listeria". Insert judgemental face. All of a sudden delicious double chocolate turned sour. I mean I wasn't sitting there downing vodka from the bottle, it was just a little bit of yummy indulgence! 

And then the questions..oh the questions. Are you going to have a natural birth? My first thought was always to slap these mothers that asked the question. Why did it matter whether I used drugs to decrease the pain to my who-ha! What was it their business? Was I going to breastfeed? My thoughts on circumcision... ? Was I going to start a routine straight away? Dummies..and which kind? Will the baby sleep in my bed, my room and then in a bassinet or a cot? aghhhhh!
 

I decided the mummy wars have to end. We are ALL so hard on ourselves as mothers, we never stop and congratulate ourselves on the brilliant job we are doing and it certainly doesn't help that we also worry about what others think of us. To work or stay at home? Having a big family versus a small one? What and how we feed our children? To breastfeed and if so for how long? Routine versus none.. All these decisions are completely overwhelming, we need to all agree that we are doing our absolute best for ourselves and for our children. That's it. End of story. 

So before you go to judge someone, just stop. Remember that they are doing the best they can for their child. Remember that they agonised over each decision to get to that point. Remember that just because they chose something different, they are right but yes so are you. They are doing whatever they need to get through that day, that week, maybe even that hour! So what if their child is still in nappies at age 3! So what if they were formula fed! So what if they came out downstairs naturally or had to go through the roof! I mean when you are at a job interview are you quizzed on that?!?... When you are applying for uni - does it matter if you were breastfed! So what if you were born in a bath tub, you're there to tell the (cool) story right? So what if the grandparents help to co-parent! So what if you feed your children kosher, organic, gluten free, dairy free, whatever-you-want-free! These are your children! They are allowed to have the issues with you one day...but not other judgemental mummies! So what.....they all eventually have to be unhappy with us for something, make sure that something has conviction!

Thank you to the brave women that helped with this blog and are trying to stop the mummy wars! You tell em girls!

www.belliesandbeyond.com.au

Rebecca Abraham, known to clients as a "baby expert". Rebecca has implemented an easy-to-follow and gentle approach for both parent and child. Taught by sleep guru Kim West (author of Good Night, Sleep Tight) she believes she will have the sleep solutions you exhausted parents are looking for. 

Rebecca has completed the Gentle Sleep Coach course which is a one of the most comprehensive and few dedicated sleep courses in the world, learning from Kim West herself as well as top lactation specialists, newborn experts and several leading paediatrians.

Drawing upon her training as an early childhood educator, infant massage therapist, pre- and post-natal doula and sleep consultant, she has a uniquely multidisciplinary approach to your issues and thus can help you and your family develop a personalized and holistic sleep plan that suits you and your child. 

Most importantly, she is a mother to two sleeping beauties Mikah and Rafaella

Oh I've got one more......Don't judge me BUT........

 

 

Rebecca Reviews..... KLEYNIMALS.

I'm not one of those mums that reads the sugar content on labels before giving my child a muesli bar, I figure that muesli is healthy and its better than chips right? I don't look at what the little numbers are (maybe because I don't exactly get what they mean), I don't really bother with organic but all of a sudden I did have a bit of a freak out about what Miss One was putting in her mouth on a daily basis, my keys. 

Being the second child, we do less fun music classes and sitting on the floor playing together and more of the shlepping in and out the car and tagging along to the pick up and drop offs. I also pack a nappy bag much quicker and often just pack the essentials and not the added bits and pieces like toys and books. What do you ALWAYS have on you..? Well there's two things - your phone and your keys. Have your Phone screen smashed once and you learn that's not the right thing to hand over to a one year old that throws everything on the ground,  so you are left with jingle jangling your keys in front of them and voila! Out reaches those adorable chubby (grotty) hands for them. Instant peace. 

But last week I had an epiphany. Keys are disgusting. They sit in your gross bag and collect the crumbs from the half eaten cruskit, and get a little bit sticky from the leaking Panadol that you carry around with you. They go on every counter top be at IGA or the doctors room reception counter. They sit on top of the car with all the bird poo while we put the kids into the car seats.they are held in your hands, your toddlers hands, in the bowl that everything goes in by your front door and everywhere that's pure disgusting! And even knowing that - who here cleans keys. No-one! And to top it all off think of the lead that is sitting on their tongues and running over their teeth while they chew on those sharp edges!


As with all mother problems.. if you have it, so does someone else. And better than that - there will be a solution. And there is. Drum roll - enter Eli the Elephant, Leo the Lion and Gus the Giraffe. 


Remember those names because they will become your best friends. They are the non-toxic stainless steel "keys". They are called Kleynimals (like clean key animals). Bonus is that they are dishwasher safe so you can really feel good about giving your child a teething toy that is safe and clean. 

Don't believe me? Even Martha Stewart loves them! Check out this video
 VIDEO: Click here to see Martha Stewart interview the Kleynimals creator (skip to 3min mark)

You can get yours from http://www.exploreplaylearn.com.au/products/kleynimals. They are $28.50 and to turn it into a cute baby present for a newborn you could even get them engraved!

If you are quick enough you can win one from my Bellies and Beyond Facebook page. Go quick!

Rafaella goes EVERYWHERE with hers. It makes for the perfect pram or car toy!

www.belliesandbeyond.com.au

Rebecca Abraham, known to clients as a "baby expert". Rebecca has implemented an easy-to-follow and gentle approach for both parent and child. Taught by sleep guru Kim West (author of Good Night, Sleep Tight) she believes she will have the sleep solutions you exhausted parents are looking for. 

Rebecca has completed the Gentle Sleep Coach course which is a one of the most comprehensive and few dedicated sleep courses in the world, learning from Kim West herself as well as top lactation specialists, newborn experts and several leading paediatrians.

Drawing upon her training as an early childhood educator, infant massage therapist, pre- and post-natal doula and sleep consultant, she has a uniquely multidisciplinary approach to your issues and thus can help you and your family develop a personalized and holistic sleep plan that suits you and your child. 

Most importantly, she is a mother to two sleeping beauties Mikah and Rafaella.