One year on – Spotlight on increased access to themorning after pill in Ireland
Log onto our live and interactive webTV show with Dr Pixie McKenna where she discusses the availability of emergency contraception in Ireland
Show date: 27th January 2012
Show time: 2pm
One year on from the morning after pill becoming available without prescription from pharmacies in Ireland, new research by HRA Pharma shows that, despite fears that increased availability could lead to misuse, the vast majority of women would still only consider using emergency contraception as a last resort.
The research also appears to demonstrate an increasing awareness and support of the improved availability, with almost three quarters of women now aware that emergency contraception can be purchased over the counter and over 90% agreeing that the move has given women more freedom due to the improved access to emergency contraception.
However, there are many arguments both for and against the use of the morning after pill and the increase in its availability has been a controversial issue in Ireland. The research shows though, that two thirds of women disagree with the notion that over the counter availability of the morning after pill has encouraged Irish women to be more promiscuous.
Similarly a huge 91% agree that the ability to purchase the pill over the counter would reduce their risk of an unplanned pregnancy thanks to improved accessibility, while over two thirds of women are of the belief that the stigma which has surrounded using the morning after pill in the past has been significantly diminished since it has become available from pharmacy.
So do you think that over-the-counter emergency contraception is a good thing? Do you think it has led to an increase in unprotected and unsafe sex? And what do you think are the implications of the increased availability?
If you have an opinion on this, or want to learn more on the topic, then log onto our live and interactive webTV show with Dr Pixie McKenna, Mark Sadja, Superintendent Pharmacist from Sam McCauley Chemists, and Tony Fraser, HRA Pharma, where they discuss the morning after pill in Ireland.
Television Production Company seeks women to talk about their lives post pregnancy. Do you feel that you or your life has completely changed since giving birth? Although you love your baby very much is there a part of you that wishes you could get your old figure, relationship, confidence, career……the old you back?? If so please contact aislinn@zoogon.tv for more information. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Healthy Eating advice during pregnancy and for new mothers
The best advice for healthy eating before conception and during pregnancy, is to keep your diet varied. Eating plenty of fruit and veg while also remembering to add protein to your diet with either pulses and beans, meat or fish, (oily fish is great and is full of Omega 3 fatty acids which are good for our hearts. mackerel, sardines and salmon for example.) Pasta, potatoes and rice are a good way of adding some energy giving starch. Wholemeal bread or wholemeal pasta or brown rice are the best options. Try to avoid foods with a high fat or sugar content.
Snacking:
If you find yourself hungry in-between meals try eating fresh fruits or raisins, the best idea is to prepare foods in advance. wash your fruit or veg well, chop into little pieces and store in tupper ware containers for snacking on later. Try having cereals handy, they are full of vitamins and minerals and folic acid. Serve with some chopped fruit or dried fruit and lashings of milk. Make a pack of healthy wholemeal cheese salad sandwiches to eat later. Always remember to drink plenty of water.
Food and drink to avoid during pregnancy are:
Try to cut down on your coffee intake and caffeine in general, try decaffeinate drinks or give herbal tea a chance, you might just be surprised. It is also advisable to steer away from alcohol, I would like to say no alcohol at all from pre-conception through pregnancy, or at least cut down as much as possible. Now is a good time to start giving up any smoking habits as this can have detrimental effects on your baby's health.
Liver, unpasteurized products, such as some soft cheeses, Paté, Raw or partially cooked eggs, Avoid eating any shark, swordfish and marlin. Limit the amount of tuna you eat to no more than two tuna steaks a week (weighing about 140g cooked or 170g raw) or four medium-size cans of tuna a week (with a drained weight of about 140g per can). This is because of the levels of mercury in these fish. At high levels, mercury can harm a baby's developing nervous system. Also avoid Raw or undercooked meats. Wash hands very well after handling raw meats. It is advisable if you are trying for a baby to start avoiding these food types now, as you may be in the early stages of pregnancy and not know for the first few weeks. For more advice go to Eat Well.gov.uk Healthy eating during pregnancy is one of the key elements to a comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy, not only are you providing the very best nutrients for your growing baby, you also help yourself keep free from common complaints such as constipation Or Bladder Weakness.
Mums – Have your say about smoking in cars
British Lung Foundation is calling for your support to get politicians committed to reducing the number of children exposed to passive smoke in cars
Are you a passionate mother with something to say? Do you feel strongly about the fact that in Britain it’s still legal to light up and smoke a cigarette in a car in front of children?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above and want to help the British Lung Foundation to persuade the Government to protect children once and for all, then you can make a huge difference by writing to your MP with help from your child to show the politicians that enough is enough.
The BLF has secured support from all parties and with your help, they are determined to get a commitment by the Public Health Minister or Secretary of State for Health to commence a behaviour change campaign to reduce the health risk to children caused by passive smoking in cars, over the next two years children’s exposure will be monitored with a view that if it isn’t reduced, legislation will become a serious consideration by 2013.
Every year over 300,000 children in the UK go to their GPs with illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia as a result of being exposed to passive smoking.
Smoking around children in the car is particularly dangerous as it is such a confined space. Over half of children aged 8 – 15 say they have been exposed to cigarette smoke in the car. Research by the University of Aberdeen has shown that smoking in a car exposes children to the same levels of smoke in a busy smoke filled pub.
You and you children can help highlight these shocking statistics by writing to your local MP to encourage them to alert the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Anne Milton with a view to ensure a proper evaluation of the behaviour change programme in England, and to commit to legislation if it is not successful.
Visit: www.lunguk.orgfor more information and to download a template letter.
Sue Perkins’ advice for a family life less complicated in 2012
Watch our video where Sue Perkins gives her handy tips on how to de-complicate your family
There are lots of complicated things in this world like combating global warming or solving the Eurozone financial crisis. But is anything as complicated as organising and running a family?
From getting them out of bed in the morning, making breakfast for all and actually getting them to school or work – sometimes it’s all to much for even the best of us. Chuck in family issues, bickering and the demands of the kids and other half and you’ve got a recipe for confusion, chaos and massive complications.
But what if you could eradicate the pain of the mornings? Make sure everyone got on and left you alone to lead a stress free life? How much less complicated would your life be if your family life was breezy and easy?
Look no further, as Sue has all the answers you need to de-complicate Britain’s families in 2012. Watch our video to see her unusual suggestions to make life less complicated for parents by getting the kids ready for school in record time.
Maximise your health & wellbeing when trying for a baby
Midwife and fertility expert Zita West discusses the ‘2-week wait’
No-one likes to wait, especially when it’s for such a life-changing answer. Fertility expert, Zita West, says, “the 2-week wait, the time between ovulation and the time to test, is a time of great uncertainty for many women while they are waiting to test.”
As a midwife, Zita is often asked about what lifestyle changes need to be made at this stage. There are so many questions a woman may ask herself – what should I be eating? How much caffeine am I allowed? Should I say no to a glass of wine? How much exercise should I be doing?
Staying healthy and relaxed during this period is key. Pinktimeline.com is a new resource for those trying for a baby and provides details on what is happening to a woman’s body during this time along with Zita’s tips for staying healthy and relaxed.
The website even has a forum where you can connect with others who are also waiting to test and a bespoke fundraising section that allows couples to raise funds for the costs associated with trying for a baby.
In the following video, midwife and fertility expert Zita West answers some of these common questions and gives advice on areas such as diet, exercise, stress relief and positivity, suggesting small lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier you and a healthier pregnancy.
What little tricks and secrets are your kids hiding from you?
We all like to think our children are little angels who can do no wrong, but a new study shows many parents might be fooling themselves into a false sense of security about just how honest their little darlings are.
The study asked parents to identify a number of possible crafty things their children might be doing regularly such as pretending to eat their dinner, blaming other children for things they’ve done wrong and feigning illness to get out of school and found that over a third of parents do not believe their children ever lie about their behavior.
Only one in five parents would ever suspect their children of crying on demand to gain sympathy, while less than a third say their child blames their siblings for things they have done wrong.
Only one in ten blame missing ornaments around the house on their children hiding them after breaking them and only 3% of parents think their children use the old trick of putting a thermometer on the radiator to feign illness.
When it comes to the age-old issue of getting kids to eat their meals, less than one in ten parents believe their children hide vegetables under their plate to avoid eating them, while only 17% think their kids feed their dinner to their pets. While over 80% say they don’t believe their children make up excuses to get down from the dinner table.
And it appears to be game of double bluff between parents and kids, especially at the dinner table with a third of parents surveyed by Tate and Lyle’s ‘Light At Heart’ saying they also employ crafty tactics to make sure their children have a balanced diet.
So who is winning this crafty battle in your house? Do you think you’ve got if figured out, when really your kids are the ones tricking you? And if that’s the case – how can you win the war?
Listen to the podcast below to find out!
THE POTTY LIST...
Or 36 Things To Do Before You’re Three
Never mind the Bucket List, here’s the Potty List – a tongue in cheek guide to 36 things toddlers should have crayoned off a must-do list....by the time they are toilet trained.
The list was inspired by suggestions from parents nationwide and endorsed by experts, including nutritionist Amanda Ursell, psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson and trends forecaster Sean Pillot de Chenecey. The list comprises 36 activities for your ‘Little One-der’ – one for each month of their toddler years.
It forms part of the Little One-ders’ Toddler Census. commissioned by Growingupmilkinfo.com, and has been designed to celebrate the extraordinary growth and development Little One-ders go through from one to three years.
By no means exhaustive, it does however pinpoint some wonderful experiences for toddlers, from the fun to the fundamental.
Child psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson says: “As your toddler turns one and becomes a Little One-der their extraordinary growth over the next couple of years will amaze you. Toddlerhood is about learning, about development and about progress – it's also about pushing the boundaries a little.
“A growing child needs to be loved and to be happy, but fun activities play an essential part during the toddler years too, as now is the time they will master many of the skills that will set them up for life. Making a mud pie or jumping in a puddle has never been so important!"
The 36 must-do activities that make up ‘The Potty List’ are:
1.Made a mud pie
2.Baked a cake
3.Finger painted
4.Sung loudly in public
5.Climbed a big hill
6.Picked fruit
7.Danced with no inhibitions
8.Made sandcastles on the beach
9.Been chased by a monster
10.Jumped in a puddle so hard the water went in mummy’s shoe too
11.Belly-flopped
12.Fed the ducks
13.Blown bubbles
14.Had a teddy bear’s picnic
15.Chosen a favourite book
16.Ridden on the top of double-decker bus
17.Visited a museum
18.Been on a train ride
19.Fed an animal
20.Grown cress in the shape of your name
21.Worn pants on your head
22.Ridden the tea-cups at the fair
23.Flown a paper aeroplane
24.Poo’ed in the bath
25.Stayed the night away from home
26.Ridden on daddy’s shoulders
27.Scribbled somewhere you shouldn’t
28.Cleaned your own teeth
29.Answered the phone
30.Mastered a party piece
31.Had a ‘first love’
32.Bought something in a shop
33.Set your sights on a future career (pirate, fairy or builder, perhaps?)
34.Told a fib
35.Made up an inappropriate nickname for someone
36.Broken something valuable
However, in order to achieve the demands of The Potty List, toddlers require lots of energy.
Growingupmilkinfo.com nutritionist, Leanne Olivier, adds: “During this phase of amazing growth and development, relative to their size, toddlers’ energy needs are nearly three times greater than an adult’s. They require more than four times the amount of iron and vitamin C, plus about three times the calcium, zinc and vitamin A.
“Their stomachs are a lot smaller than ours, so they need to eat small amounts of foods often to give them energy and nutrients throughout the day, so they can make mud pies and climb hills.
“This means that they need three small meals with regular snacks in between to meet their very specific energy needs and each meal and snack needs to be balanced and nutrient-packed.”
It’s also why the UK Departments of Health recommend that children are given a supplement of vitamins A, C and D from the age of one-to-five2, to help support even a healthy balanced diet. Research by Growingupmilkinfo.comsurprisingly found eight out of 10 parents were not aware of this advice.
Growing Up Milk is made from cows' milk but it is enriched with key nutrients that toddlers need like vitamins A, C and D, iron and calcium. Giving your Little One-der two 150ml beakers of Growing Up Milk each day is an easy way to help provide them with the extra nutrients they need, as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Top tips on how to get your children reading
Watch our video with Jeff Brazier where he gives his top tips on making story time fun
For some parents, a seemingly simple task like reading your children bedtime stories can send them into a nervous panic. But, it’s never too soon or too late to get your children reading and needn’t be a stressful experience.
That’s why celebrity dad Jeff Brazier has joined forces with the National Literacy Trust today to launch a new campaign to try and help the four million children in Britain who don’t own a book to start reading.
Almost a fifth of children who don’t read say there are no books in their homes, which is why the National Literacy Trust is backing the campaign from McDonald’s UK and Harper Collins for a new partnership to help get kids reading.
McDonald’s UK is to hand out around nine million popular children’s books with its Happy Meals, as part of a new partnership with publishing house Harper Collins. The promotion aims to get books into the hands of families and support mums and dads in reading with their children.
Watch our video with Jeff Brazier and Jack Sallabank from the National Literacy Trust where they give their top tips to get your children reading. From funny voices to involving your children with finger puppets, watch our video for Jeff’s great tips which is sure to be a success with any child.
Cold Feet actor John Thomson shares his weight loss tips for parents
Weight problems are an increasing cause for concern for many parents, with obesity on the rise in many countries. In the UK alone some 25% of adults are classed as obese, with men more likely than women to suffer from serious weight problems – yet the slimming industry pays far more attention to women’s weight problems than it does to those of our male population.
High profile advertising campaigns from well known diet brands have done little to broaden their appeal to guys, with 28% of men feeling existing weight-loss programmes are too female-focussed, deterring them from joining.
This is despite 52% of men admitting they are unhappy with their body shape with the majority of chaps looking to lose between 1 and 2 stone in 2012. Interestingly, married men were more likely to be unhappy with their body shape than their single peers.
Men want options, and in such a female focused industry, those options have clearly been too few and far between. According to the report from the new male focused weight loss plan LivSmarter, guys in the UK have to this point compounded their problem by being too shy, 42% would not have the courage to ask anyone for advice if they wanted to lose weight, preferring (20%) instead to look online for information.
We all know how easy it is for those extra pounds to creep up on us especially when you’ve got treats for the kids in the house and teatime ends up with you finishing off leftovers.
So, what are the solutions? How can you ensure your partner has the time to lose that winter weight? Father and star of Cold Feet and The Fast Show, John Thomson gives fellow fathers his top tips.
Info on LivSmarter:
LivSmarter is a brand new weight loss plan that has been created for men by men. They have a team of experts who will put together a no-nonsense and discreet programmes that can help men get the results they want.
The research for LivSmarter was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 18/11/2011 and 29/11/2011amongst a panel resulting in 1019 men. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).
ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).
The Era Of Iparenting
New mums turn to the internet for parenting advice
New mums are more likely to log on than go to their own mums for parenting advice, according to a new report released today.
A resounding eight in 10 mums (80%) turn to Google, parenting forums or Facebook before asking their own mums for advice (44%), according to the research commissioned by Growingupmilkinfo.com, a new website for parents providing information about toddler growth and development.
Mothers over the age of 35 were most likely (71%) to rely on the internet for support and advice. However, the social network savvy under 25s were the biggest Facebook users for parenting queries (15% versus 9% national average).
So are mums missing out on good old-fashioned, practical and proven advice from their mums and grandmothers because of the trend for online parenting? Or is the wealth of information now available and being shared online actually making parenting easier than ever before?
Child Psychologist, Doctor Richard Woolfson believes there are two sides to the story and he joins me now to talk about the benefits and pitfalls of e-parenting.
Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Aladdin and Cinderella among the cast
In the spirit of pantomime, leading family history website www.findmypast.co.ukhas published a list of real people throughout history with pantomime names. From the likes of Robin Hood to Dick Whittington, these people have been spotted in the birth and census records dating back to 1837. A record of a Peter Pan has also been discovered in an eighteenth century will.
Top 10 British panto names:
Name
Number of people in the records at findmypast.co.uk
1. Sultan
249
2. Cinderella
109
3. Robin Hood
91
4. Wendy Darling
27
5. Fairy
25
6. Genie
19
7. Dick Whittington
11
8. Aladdin
7
9. Peter Pan
1
10. Captain Hook
1
Captain Hook and Peter Pan were two among the real-life cast – the real Peter Pan was discovered in a will from 1762 and he was joined by Britain’s own Captain Hook born in Kent in 1898. However, when it came to the dames, Peter Pan was spoilt for choice, with 27 Wendy Darlings to choose from. 109 Cinderellas didn’t get to go to the ball, with not one Prince Charming appearing in the records.
Robbing from the rich to give to the poor, Robin Hood, the finest marksman in all of England could hit a target faster than you could say “he’s behind you”. Although he could never be matched he certainly had his followers, with 91 Robin Hoods showing up in the records, including one in the hero’s hometown of Nottingham.
There was a touch of magic in the air when findmypast.co.uk discovered seven Aladdins and 19 Genies hidden among the records, but they were not alone on the mystical front with 25 Fairys and 249 Sultans joining them too.
Dick Whittington may have found his fortune in London but his name has spread far and wide, with 11 Dick Whittingtons popping up all across England.
Debra Chatfield, family historian at findmypast.co.uk commented: “Pantomime is a great British tradition and in the same way that many people nowadays name their children after celebrities, in the past perhaps people were inspired by their favourite panto heroes. By searching the records online at findmypast.co.uk, you can find out more about your family and uncover all sorts of mysteries, which is what makes it so exciting and surprising. And who knows, you could even find a real-life Aladdin or Cinderella in your family tree.”
JustGiving celebrates the power of giving back: Nominations open for JustGiving Awards 2012
Nominations are now open for the JustGiving Awards 2012, celebrating the achievements of over 380,000 fundraisers, and 8,000 charities who have used the site to raise over £200 million for good causes over the past year.
Now in their third year, the Awards will be given out in 13 categories, from Most Popular Fundraiser, to Endurance Fundraiser of the Year, to Most Creative Charity of the Year, to Best New Charity. The awards will be judged by a panel of leading fundraising, philanthropic and digital figures, as well as winners of previous awards, and finalists will be invited to a red carpet awards dinner in London on 1st March, 2012.
The JustGiving Awards are free to enter and open to anyone who has used JustGiving to fundraise and every charity that is registered on the site. To nominate an individual or charity, or to nominate your own fundraising achievements, go to www.justgivingawards.com or call the JustGiving Awards helpline on 0845 123 7588 for details. Entries must be completed before 6th January 2012.
DO YOU AVOID KISSING IN WINTER TO AVOID INFECTION?
New research from the Global Hygiene Council shows the UK still needs to improve hygiene habits to prevent infection during the cold and flu season
As we get well into the cold and flu season and with the festive season fast approaching, new research from the Dettol Hygiene Home Truths study has revealed that 48% of Britons are wary of greeting someone with a kiss on the cheek if they look ill. Women are the most conscious of picking up germs from otherswith just over half (52%) saying they wouldn’t greet someone who looked ill with a kiss, and 35% saying they would avoid shaking hands. Keeping your distance from someone who is ill along with hand washing and targeted surface disinfection are measures which can help prevent the spread of cold and flu.
The Dettol Hygiene Home Truths study has also found that 28% of people are unconcerned with passing their germs to others by admitting to not covering their nose and mouth when sneezing.
Despite basic hand washing being the first line of defence against the spread of infection from bacteria and viruses, 40% of 16-24 year olds admitted to not washing their hands after going to the toilet. This can lead to potentially harmful bacteria cross contaminating surfaces such as door handles and work tops in the home, as well as from person to person and highlights the lack of understanding around the spread of infection.
It is not all bad news for the younger generation; results suggest that 16-25 year olds are more conscious of germs and bacteria than previously thought as the results highlighted that 16-25 year olds are almost twice (42%) as likely as those over 55 (23%) to avoid shaking hands with someone that looks ill.
In this video Professor John Oxford, Chairman of the Global Hygiene Council and Professor of Virology at Barts and The London School of Dentistry discusses basic changes we can make in our daily lives to ensure we stay healthy and germ-free this winter.
Top tips on how to combat the signs of tiredness Celebrity make-up artist Oonagh Connor gives her tips on how to get a natural healthy glow It’s that time of year again, winter is here and all of us want to stay snuggled up warm in bed. Unfortunately we are all leading busier lifestyles, with earlier starts, later finishes and no sun to give us that natural healthy glow.Whether it’s longer days at the office or juggling activities with the kids, we are finding less and less time to get a good night’s sleep.
According to a new study by the Sleep Council in conjunction with National Sleep-In Day, the latest trend in bags and eye shadows for women has become a dire sign of the times and one in 10 women feel so tired it affects their appearance every day.
Watch our video to see make-up artist Oonagh Connor, who works with a number of celebrities from Daisy Lowe to Lisa Snowdon, and has worked on such shows such as Britain’s Next Top Model, give her top tips on how to overcome that tired appearance.
Parents reveal the top tricks they still use to get their kids to eat their greens
Hiding veggies, bribing with dessert, and creating pictures still used by modern day parents
It’s an age old struggle for parents around the world. How do you get your kids to eat their vegetables instead of pushing them around their plates, hoping you’ll give up?
Well, according to a new poll out, classic tricks and old fashioned subterfuge are still being used by parents, with number one on the list the simple camouflaging of veg within other foods and sauces.
Second on the list is the threat of no dessert if veggies aren’t eaten first, while third was telling children that vegetables would give them special powers such as the old ‘carrots will help you see in the dark’, or ‘spinach will give you muscles as big as Popeye’.
Further down the list were rewarding children for polishing off their greens with toys and stickers, making it into a competition between siblings and friends as to who can eat their veggies first, and telling their children their favourite superheroes or characters loves their vegetables.
And it’s no surprise parents are going to such lengths still to get vegetables into their children in any way they can, with only half of all children eating veggies willingly and one in ten actively avoiding them, according to the survey of more than 1,000 parents by Green Giant.
Four out of five parents admitted their children don’t get their advised five portions of fruit and veg a day, while one in five parents will allow their children to leave their veggies – sometimes just to avoid the stress that goes hand in hand with meal times when vegetables are involved. A number of parents stated that their children eat vegetables so rarely that they feel elated if they even eat a mouthful. In turn, parents can spend on average up to two hours on top of mealtimes each week trying to prompt their children to eat their vegetables.
So how difficult is it for you to get your kids to eat what they should and what tactics do you use to get them into your children? Colin Jackson always ate his vegetables when he was a youngster and was told by his mum that if he did, he would grow up to be a World Champion athlete and Olympic Medalist…..and we know how that story ends!
Colin has joined with Green Giant to help parents come up with ways to educate their kids on healthy eating and even get them to grow to love their veggies. Listen to our podcast with Colin Jackson where he discusses the importance of balance in your children’s diets and tactics parents can draw on to help mealtimes run more smoothly.
Young at heart... the Peter Pan syndrome (or, should we say, Rita Pan syndrome!) is alive and well in UK mothers
Millions of mums are living like teenagers, wearing ‘young people’s clothes’ and still ringing their mum and dad for help
Nearly half of all British mums admit they are living life as though they were a teenager. Indeed, according to new research by Barratts sweets, three quarters of us, regardless of how old we are, still feel like big kids.
Turning 18 might be when we legally become an adult, and reaching 21 is often seen as significant in terms of ‘coming of age’, but the study shows that in 2011, we now don’t actually feel like grown-ups until the ripe old age of 28. A third admit they don’t think they’ll ever really feel like a proper grown-up - even when they have kids of their own, with parents admitting to prancing around to pop music, eating alphabet spaghetti and drooling over young celebrities.
Rita Pan syndrome seems to have taken hold of the over 40s in particular, with two thirds of parents still admitting to enjoying children’s TV shows with their kids. Additionally, 30% of them are still confident they can get away with wearing ‘young people’s’ clothes, while one in ten still ring their parents to ask them how to cook and do household chores.
A staggering 70% of over 40s think they look younger than they actually are and more than 90% can’t believe how old they are, which is probably why nearly half of those surveyed for the study by Barratt Sweets are usually in denial when another birthday comes along.
So is our young inner instinct good for us and our families, or should we just grow up and stop embarrassing our kids with our immature ways? Judi James on the podcast below tells us more.
Busy mums at breaking point at end of school day
From the school pick up, to the after-school taxi service to clubs and sports, to the dinner rush - how do they manage?
Every day, millions of mums around the country head to the school gates straight from work or a day of numerous chores and tasks at home to pick up their little darlings, but while they may have been up since six and working hard all day, it’s more than likely that the hardest part of their day starts after 3pm.
By the time mum’s taxi service turns into mum’s café – full of picky and demanding customers – mums have been at the beck and call of their kids for hours.
And a new study shows that it reaches fever-pitch during dinner time with nearly half of all parents saying they spend anywhere between half an hour and an hour preparing meals for their children.
One in five parents say they have to make a completely separate meal for their children as an alternative to the main family meal twice a week on average, as they contend with fussy little eaters who often refuse point blank to eat what the rest of the family is eating.
In fact, parents say their kids and now getting so demanding about what they eat that 40% of those surveyed by Philips believe their children would be more critical of the meals they cook than a celebrity chef or food critic.
So what’s the solution for parents desperate to make dinner time an enjoyable part of the day, instead of the most stressful part of it?
Listen to our podcast with Beverley Glock – food writer and TV cook, discussing her tips from a cooking perspective when it comes to cutting down on cooking time and different meal preparation
Thousands of school breakfast clubsforced to close due to budget cuts
Thousands of British school children face going hungry in the morning after teachers revealed that one in eight breakfast clubs have been shut down resulting in 75,000 children going without breakfast each day.
Around 20,000 breakfast clubs were running in schools around Britain providing a nutritious meal for children as well essential childcare for working parents.
However, 3,000 of these have now closed and more than half of teachers (52%) said that budget cuts were to blame for this.
In response, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes is launching the ‘Help give a child a breakfast’ campaign and the company is pledging to make a donation to school breakfast clubs for every pack of Corn Flakes sold with the target of raising a minimum of £300,000 – which will provide one million breakfasts by the end of 2012.
The winter season is almost upon us and with it comes the dreaded flu season. Some people are more susceptible than others, so the new understanding that not only does the gut play a central role in your immune system but there are positive measures we can take to support it will be of great interest.
Very few of us are aware that nearly 60% of our immune health is linked to our gut. The delicate balance of bacteria in our gut can be easily upset, leading to us being susceptible to a variety of infections. There are lots of reasons why this imbalance may occur:
•Feeling ‘run down’ or stressed
•Recovering from illness
•Taking a course of antibiotics
•About to take the flu vaccination (especially if you are elderly and might be hypo-responsive to vaccinations)
•Being 55+ of age
When it comes to supporting the immune system many people turn to traditional measures such a taking vitamin C and Echinacea at this time of the year, often with limited success.
In this video, Dr Hilary Jones talks about the important role the gut has in the immune system and the valuable role second generation prebiotics can play.
For more information and advice on digestive health go to www.bimuno.com.
Let’s talk good tummy health…..
Scientific research over the last decade has revealed the vital role that the bacteria in your gut play in both digestive and immune health, having an impact on problems as diverse as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, susceptibility to infection, the absorption of minerals, and even cancer. Therefore measures which can have a positive effect on our gut microflora (bacteria) are of increasing interest to a health conscious public.
Your digestive system is home to trillions of bacteria, some ‘good’ some ‘bad’. Those which work to promote digestion and better absorption of nutrients from your food are often referred to ‘good’ or friendly bacteria. Other less helpful or bad bacteria can produce toxins which are harmful to the body and can cause digestive problems.
In fact research has now shown that having an ‘imbalance’ between good and bad bacteria in your gut is associated with a number of digestive health conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colon cancer and gastroenteritis.
Maintaining a healthy ‘bacterial balance’ is therefore essential to our health; however it can be easily upset by various factors. For instance, changes to diet and eating patterns, and the use of antibiotics can have a harmful effect on the balance of the good bacteria in the gut. These can upset the delicate balance away from potentially beneficial or health-promoting bacteria such as the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, towards an increase in the harmful micro-organisms. There are also other reasons why this imbalance may occur including:
•Feeling ‘run down’ or stressed
•A poor diet
•Recovering from illness
•Medication
•Strenuous exercise
•Ageing
•Hormonal changes, especially in women.
And it’s not just the gut itself that can be affected by a balance in our microflora. Very few of us are aware that more than 60% of our immune health is centred in our gut. The gut is an important defence system as the resident good bacteria protect against invading bad bacteria. Thus, maintaining a healthy number of good intestinal bacteria is essential for the protection mechanism to work optimally.
Many foods and supplements are now available which contain probiotics and prebiotics some of which, scientific studies have shown can help to support digestive and immune health. What are the facts and what is best?
In this video, Professor Glenn Gibson, an expert in food microbiology explains the importance gut bacteria play in our health and recent exciting developments in the area of prebiotics.
For more information and advice on digestive and immune health go to www.bimuno.com.
School children create episode of new cartoon
Schools across the UK are eagerly awaiting episodes of new cartoon Olive the Ostrich narrated by Rolf Harris which they helped illustrate and create
Pupils from 46 schools across the country are to have their colourful creations appear in the Rolf Harris narrated cartoon Olive the Ostrich after helping to create the artwork and story lines for it, thanks to an initiative by the Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts.
The schools were invited to contribute to the making of the show with pupils taking part in workshops with the creators, cast and crew of the show to come up with artwork and storylines, guest characters, places and objects that Olive encounters. The artwork, ideas and creativity of the children were used to create the episodes that are airing now and throughout October.
The cartoon, which is narrated by Rolf Harris, sees Olive the Ostrich going on different imaginary adventures in each episode. Laura Ellison, the voice of Olive visited all the schools to work with children aged between 6 and 9 on developing the show, using their unique, creative and youthful approach to the project.
Thousands of children leave school having never set foot in an art gallery, watched a performance in a theatre or listened to an orchestra play. It’s known that early engagement with the arts has a positive impact on young people: raising aspirations, increasing confidence, improving communication skills and unlocking creativity.
The first of its kind production was a joint initiative between the Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, Blue-Zoo Productions, and Nickelodeon’s award winning pre-school channel Nick Jnr. The Prince’s Foundation helped the shows’ creators to identify schools in areas that don’t often have regular access to arts funding, giving the children opportunities they might not normally have.
Celebrity Make-Up artist Caroline Frazer shares her top tips for looking great in just 5 minutes
Whether you are a yummy mummy or a boardroom babe, everyone’s pushed for time in the morning. If it isn’t preparing the kids for school or choosing what clothes to wear to work, there are emails to check and bank statements to scrutinise.
New research conducted by Diamond shows that many women don’t have enough time to do their make-up before they leave the house; worryingly some of them even do it in the car. But even if you have a hectic lifestyle and you don’t have the luxury of a professional make-up artist on hand here are some top tips for looking great in just five minutes.
Watch our video with Caroline Frazer, make-up artist to stars such as Lisa Snowdon, Carol Vorderman and Mel C, where she gives her top tips to transform you from tired barefaced woman to a Dewy Diamond Diva in five minutes:
Strasbourg, 13th September 2011 -- Measures to create a wave of new female entrepreneurs have been set out in a report to the European Parliament by a Conservative MEP.
Marina Yannakoudakis started her own successful small business before being elected MEP for London in 2009. She believes passionately that unleashing the potential of female entrepreneurship will not only mean greater opportunity for women but could play a big part in reviving the economy.
She said: "I want EU countries and local authorities to make better use of funding already available - such as special grants, social security provisions and venture capital - to give women fair access to business start-up and expansion cash."
This should be backed up by an education programme of information campaigns, seminars and training sessions to help women exploit the European Progress Microfinance Facility, she said.
Other suggestions are for member states to launch one-year entrepreneurship or apprenticeship programmes for women and for better co-operation across Europe to promote best practice and networking opportunities for businesswomen.
Mrs Yannakoudakis said: "The economic crisis means more women are wanting to return to work or start businesses.
"But some employers believe that working mothers may show less commitment and flexibility than other employees.
"In the face of this, many young mums are looking to become self-employed or start up their own companies. These 'mumpreneurs' are a growing phenomenon and I hope this report will help swell the ranks of female-owned businesses.
"We must give working mothers and other women the flexibility and support they need for their business and leadership skills to blossom. When they win - we all win."
Harper Seven Beckham has been beaten into second place by Belle Willoughby in a poll to find mums’ favourite celebrity baby name.
The survey, run by online baby bag retailer www.Momymoo.co.uk, found that 32% of mums would consider the name Belle for their daughter, proving it’s a popular choice by down to earth Holly and her husband Dan.
Former Posh Spice Victoria Beckham and her husband David came in second taking 20% of the vote. Mums loved the names Brooklyn and the romantic sounding Romeo, but weren’t so sure about Cruz and the latest arrival, Harper Seven.
The mums expected the latest addition to have an unusual name, but really weren’t expected Becks’ shirt number to put in an appearance.
Corrie star Kym Marsh and her actor partner Jamie Lomas took 15% of the vote for their arrival, Polly who was born in March. Mums said they love this normal name and it was perfect for their precious daughter.
Other mums who featured in the poll were rock star Pink with her daughter Willow Sage (11%) and Emma Bunton and her sons Tate and Beau (10%).
Languishing towards the bottom of the poll were Mariah Carey and her twins Moroccan Scott and Monroe, Mylene Klass with her latest addition Hero and TV chef Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools and their son Buddy Bear.
A spokesperson for Momymoo.co.uk said; “Celebs do have some very strange ideas when it comes to naming their little ones, some odder than others.
“In the past we’ve had some real treats from the likes of Jonathan Ross and his wife Jane, and now some of the newer celebs are taking up his mantel and going for off the wall names.
“Mums really seem to love Holly Willoughby and the names of her offspring, Belle and Harry. They’re the kind of names that mums believe won’t lead to ridicule in the school playground, and ones the children won’t outgrow.
“Unsurprisingly, the name of the latest Beckham arrival wasn’t a huge hit, although I’m sure it’ll grow on mums and there will be lots of Harper’s starting school in four years’ time.
“Pink’s daughters name Willow Sage was a surprise hit. Mums said the name is beautiful and really unusual in a nice way. They believe it suits the little one and is the perfect complement to mum Pink and dad Carey.
“It was no surprise to find Buddy Bear and Hero towards the bottom of the poll. Mums were bemused by the name of Jamie and Jools’ son, after loving the names of the three girls Poppy, Daisy and Petal.”
The spokesperson concluded: “The one thing we can be sure of is that some celebs will always pick odd names for their offspring which is why we always look forward with hidden glee to the latest celeb baby.”
The poll, which questioned mums 510 between the ages of 24 and 40 years, was run by online baby bag retailer www.Momymoo.co.uk
Nurseries encouraged to help themselves...
New initiative designed to help ailing nurseries
As nurseries across the country continue to close at an alarming rate, an independent initiative has been launched to help those remaining manage the logistics of putting together fun and engaging sessions with pre-school pupils in addition allowing those who sign up to the initiative the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £20,000.
Designed to encourage pre-schoolers to use their imaginations, solve and develop their sense of physical adventure, the free pack contains six activity session plans including an ‘at home’ element, a practitioner’s guide and a number of other teaching aides.
Help Dora Help, developed by Nick Jr. and supported by The Princes Foundation for Children and Arts is an educational, pro-social and charitable programme which has already seen a phenomenal 4,000+ registrations from nurseries and pre-school learning centres throughout the UK. However that equates to just over 18% of those eligible signing up, leaving literally thousands as yet unsigned.
Pre-schools and nurseries in the UK work to a specific curriculum from the DoE, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), designed to expand communication and language, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, knowledge and understanding of the world in addition to physical, personal and creative development. HDH supports and enforces all of these elements.
To find out how your nursery or pre-school can get involved we are joined by Jacqueline Harding, education expert alongside Helena Dowling, Nick Jr. presenter.
Nurseries and pre-schools can apply for the free Help Dora Help activity pack and award fund at www.nickjr.co.uk
Financial guide for new parents
Having a baby is a huge lifestyle change. As a new parent, you'll want to provide your new child with everything they need, and that requires a new approach to your finances too. However, budgeting for the new addition to your family needn't be stressful - following a few simple guidelines can make those important changes to your budget much easier to make.
Help for Depression provides a very comprehensive explanation of the various approaches and treatments for depression as a critical starting point for individuals and/or their loved ones.
Leading expert says a child’s creativity and imagination can be influenced by parents
If you’ve always thought that children were either born with imagination and creativity or not, then it might be time for us all to rethink, as experts believe that what and how children learn as pre-schoolers can determine how creative or imaginative they become later in life.
So how can you encourage imagination and creativity in your children and how much will it benefit them to be able to think and solve problems in their own unique way as they move through life?
In our podcast, child development, psychology and education consultant Jacqueline Harding talks about the importance of imagination and creativity to a child’s development., discussing how parents can help foster in their children a greater sense of adventure and a desire for creative play.
Jacqueline, who is also a former BBC Education Editor talks about a new children’s show on Nick Jr. which hopes to encourage more children to use their creativity and sense of adventure to explore the world. Poppy Cat is an animated series full of adventure and fantasy which will encourage preschoolers to use their imagination to create adventures of their own.
Three Quarters Of Couples Regularly Sleep In Separate Rooms
With summer on the way more couples are venturing outside to enjoy the weather together, but when they return home their lives are not always so sunny. Three quarters of couples regularly spend the night in separate bedrooms because one or both of them snores.
A survey in April this year of 1616 repondents commissioned by British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association found that snoring is causing damage to relationships across the UK; 75% of UK couples are spending nights in separate rooms, causing embarrassment and distance between partners. 61% of them even think their sleeping arrangements are socially unacceptable, so wouldn’t talk about them openly.
Whilst a small proportion of couples were happy to sleep in separate rooms more than 80% said that they would sleep together in the marital bed if their snoring issues were resolved.
A staggering 16% of those surveyed had been sleeping separately for more than 10 years. If you or your partner is one of the UK’s 30 million affected by snoring, we have good news because snoring is treatable. This week is National Stop Snoring Week, raising awareness of snoring and the treatments available. This year’s theme focuses on sleeping apart and whether it’s a good thing for couples.
Watch this video with Dr Rob Hicks talking about how to diagnose what kind of snorer you are and the different treatments available.
In our webTV show we look at the tricky subject of diarrhoea; what causes it, what you can do to treat it and how you can help prevent suffering in the first place
It's one of those conditions that we all suffer from at some stage, but diarrhoea is something most people don't feel comfortable discussing with others.
For that reason many people suffer in silence instead of asking for advice through fear of embarrassment. But while you may feel more comfortable keeping it to yourself, by doing so you could be missing out on crucial information that could help you not only recover quicker but help prevent you suffering in the first place.
So how can you avoid suffering from diarrhoea? If you end up with it should you let it run its course rather than take an anti-diarrhoeal medicine? And is rehydration the only treatment?
Well if you need some confidential expert advice then watch our webTV show where Dr Christian Jessen will be offering his help and support.
The magic of an uninterrupted night’s sleep for you and your little one The dreamgenii® Billy Winky children’s bed-time sleep pillow From the makers of the award winning dreamgenii® pregnancy support & feeding pillow comes a fantastic children’s bed-time pillow designed to help your little one enjoy a magical night’s sleep – meaning a magical, uninterrupted night’s sleep for parents.
Myleene Klass on how to reassess your green priorities
Watch our video and learn how to do your bit for a greener Britain
With her second baby on the way, Myleene Klass has decided to make a commitment to making the world a greener place for her children by joining Team Green Britain, an online community which is being engaged about tackling climate change. She’s keen to inspire all of us to follow in her footsteps to ensure a cleaner, greener Britain for future generations.
And what better time to do so, with the world’s attention sure to be on all of us next year when London hosts the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Myleene has joined EDF Energy, the first sustainability partner of London 2012, which has already shown their commitment to the cause by partnering with the London Eye to reduce its carbon footprint in the build up to 2012.
In this video she shows how easy it is for us all to join the cause with these top tips to get us into environmental shape. From kitchen waste to recycling, Myleene explains it all.
New Mother product review of SilDerm™ stretch mark prevention oil
Susan says " I found SilDerm™ to
be of great benefit to me during the second and third trimester of my
pregnancy, as a relaxation aid as well as the comfort of knowing I am
reducing the chances of stretch marks on my ever increasing bump!"
The
first reactions to using SilDerm™ during Susan's testing, were that
SilDerm™ has a very slight refreshing fragrance, while it is also a
smooth and relaxing oil to massage into the skin around and under your
pregnant bump. Susan found that this makes a nice routine, and something
to look forward to each day, even a relaxing and bonding session with
baby, talking to your bump while gently massaging the SilDerm™ oil
around the bump and even into the lower back, where some mums also find
themselves gaining stretch marks. If you have a friend or partner to
gently rub around the lower back while you lie on your side for example,
this can be very beneficial for relaxation and lower back aches as well
as the stretch mark reduction.
The process of child birth can push many women’s bodies to the extreme, which will leave some women with health problems they are too embarrassed to speak about. One of these problems is that of female (or stress) incontinence, which can leave many women experiencing “embarrassing leaks”. A staggering third of new mums and half of all women reaching menopause will suffer from the embarrassment of stress incontinence. Worse still, the majority will fail to seek clinical help and will put up with the symptoms for an average of 4 years before consulting a health professional.Luckily, there is a new NHS approved device to help women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, quickly and easily, in the privacy of their own home. The PelvicToner helps women identify and isolate the pelvic floor muscles and then exercise them more effectively by squeezing against a mild resistance. It has been proven to be far more effective than electro-stimulation devices. From those who took part in an exercise programme using the PelvicToner vaginal exerciser, 87% of users said that they had become more aware of their pelvic floor within just 2 weeks and 80% reported an improvement in their sex lives after just 4 weeks…..(which is great news for husbands too)The PelvicToner has been approved by the NHS and from 1st January 2011 you will be able to get it onprescription from your GP (free if you have a valid MATB1 form).
Accidents at home are currently estimated to account for 77% of all accidents. Obviously, this figure is skewed slightly by the fact that most of us spend more time at home than we do at work, or in the car, or down the pub (most of us); however, even taking this into account, we find that the home is an inordinately dangerous place: about 1 in 17 people each year will suffer an injury caused by an accident in the home. A fatal injury in the home occurs approximately once every 14 minutes; for non-fatal (but in many cases, still serious) injuries, the figure is once every 4 seconds. On top of all this, The Home Safety Council’s estimates show that accidents at home, in total, cost the economy as much as £237 billion each year.
Only 100 per cent certified biodegradable and plastic-free nappy
After a long wait, a special delivery is beingmade - gNappies, the world’s first hybrid, and only 100 per cent certified biodegradable* nappy is arriving in the UK
Launching at Baby Show, London on the 22nd-24th of October, gNappies offers the best of cloth and disposable in one earth-friendly nappy.
Available in range of vibrant colours, the gNappies system gives parents two eco-friendly nappy options in one—cloth or disposable.The system consists of cotton, washable little gPants, and either100% biodegradable gRefills, or washable gCloth inserts.
Designed for a non-bulky fit, gNappies are made of breathable material just like sports clothing, so your baby stays dry and comfortable and is far less likely to get nappy rash.gRefills are the only certified 100 per cent biodegradable, plastic-free and elemental chlorine nappy available and decompose in 50 – 100 days in either your home waste or compost bin.
For people who choose to compost they know in two months time they give something back to the Earth as a renewable source of garden fertiliser.And it’s no sin for those who simply ‘bin’ as choosing a plastic-free option uses less petroleum, and that’s better for babies and the planet.
The second option is reusable cloth inserts made from soft micro fleece and hemp/cotton, which can be washed and rewashed, the same as the outer pants.
Jennifer Lackie, UK distributor of gNappies (and mum herself) said: “This is a great product for parents who try their best to be eco friendly.
“gNappies is an entirely new concept to the market with its hybrid system that allows parents to compost wet nappies in their household compost bin as they are an ideal material, providing a rich source of nitrogen and organic matter.
“All materials in the little gPants, snap-in liners, gCloth and biodegradable gRefills have been carefully chosen to provide a comfortable and dry fit for your baby.”
gNappies are available from www.husha-byebaby.com withNew Baby bundles priced at £99.95. Little gPants nappy covers start at £13.95 each, with biodegradable refills retailing at £9.95 and cloth at £21.95.
For more information visitwww.gNappies.com or contact 01483 301 782.
Blood pressure breakthrough holds real hope for
treatment of pre-eclampsia
Scientists have discovered a mechanism which raises blood pressure in pre-eclampsia, a potentially deadly condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
After 20 years of research, and with funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), scientists from the University of Cambridge have now cracked the first step in the main process that controls blood pressure.Their findings, published today in the journal Nature, are likely to have significant implications for the treatment of pre-eclampsia as well as high blood pressure (also known as hypertension).
Blood pressure is controlled by hormones called angiotensins, which cause the blood vessels to constrict.These hormones are released by the protein angiotensinogen.Until now, it was not understood how this occurred.
Dr Aiwu Zhou, a BHF Fellow at the University of Cambridge, who made the breakthrough, said: “Although we primarily focused on pre-eclampsia, the research also opens new leads for future research into the causes of hypertension in general.”
To make the discovery, the researchers solved the structure of angiotensinogen with the help of an extremely intense X-ray beam produced by Diamond Light Source, the UK synchrotron. Their results revealed that the protein is oxidised and changes shape to permit ready access to angiotensinogen by an enzyme, renin. Renin cuts off the tail of the protein to release the hormone angiotensin, which then raises blood pressure.
Taking their lab results into the clinic at the University of Nottingham, the research team showed that the amount of oxidised, and hence more active, angiotensinogen was increased in women with pre-eclampsia.
Drugs currently used to treat high blood pressure – such as ACE inhibitors - focus on the later stages of the mechanism that controls blood pressure.
Today’s findings, which give insight into the previously mysterious early stages of the regulation process, provide scientists with new opportunities to research novel treatments for hypertension.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the BHFsaid:“Every year in the UK pre-eclampsia is responsible for the deaths of around six women and several hundred babies. This research is of the highest quality and offers real hope for developing strategies to prevent or treat this dangerous condition by targeting the process that these scientists have identified. And of course, although the researchers only looked at pre-eclampsia in this study, similar strategies may be useful for those people with high blood pressure that is not effectively controlled by current medicines.”
High blood pressure frequently affects pregnancy.However, in 2-7 per cent of pregnancies this develops into pre-eclampsia, which threatens the health and survival of both the mother and child.In Britain, it affects about one in 20 women during pregnancy, and every year 50,000 women and 500,000 infants die globally as a result of pre-eclampsia.There is no treatment for pre-eclampsia and often the mother is either induced early or undergoes a Caesarean.
Karen Partridge, 45 from Bristol, has a son and three daughters. She suffered severe pre-eclampsia in her first two pregnancies. “It was a very scary time. I spent 21 days in hospital during my first pregnancy. I had the classic symptoms, protein in my urine and high blood pressure and I swelled up like the Michelin man putting on four stone.
“There was no choice but to deliver my first child as quickly as possibly which resulted in a low birth weight of only 5lb 2oz and my daughter was tube fed for 10 days. I was very anxious about my second pregnancy where I also suffered pre-eclampsia with very similar symptoms. It was a frightening time for me and my family.”
The research was largely funded by the British Heart Foundation, with additional funding provided by the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and the Isaac Newton Trust.
The Spring Baby website is relatively new and is aimed at newborns, selling babywear, toys and some other accessories. We have our new Spring/Summer collection available now.
Newmother.co.uk advice tip... For some amazing help and advice, follow this link to WhatToExpect.com From the best selling author of What To Expect When You're Expecting.
New Mother.co.uk Shopping Tip... A great place to buy beautiful baby and child products... www.goecostore.co.uk
Go Eco Store provide a wide range of eco products for your eco home that we have evaluated, selecting only those that give real value for money, when compared with similar items available in the high street. They include energy savers, recycled glasses, eco gifts, organic & natural cleaning products, eco baby products, LED light bulbs, recycled products and all are eco friendly products that will reduce the impact on the environment....
Breastfeeding Pillow Breastfeedingpillow.org.uk is committed to providing support for women and babies during breastfeeding by providing an opportunity to acquire the perfect breastfeeding pillow
Baby-Births.com The No.1 place online to place your Baby Birth announcement – completely free!
Anyvan – The Delivery Auction Site. Find courier services and man and van companies already travelling in your direction – saving you time and money!
