Snugglebundl - a good travel aid? (plus your chance to win one!)

As you all know I love to travel and so am always interested in items that make getting out and about that little bit easier. When the guys at Snugglebundl released their baby lifting blanket I was a little sceptical as to what this could actually do to help travelling parents with babies. I am a touchy feely person and so the idea of moving my baby from one place to another without a quick cuddle in between was a little alien, but I have to say that I think in certain situations this blanket could be brilliant!

The primary use for this ‘hammock like’ blanket is for those who suffer with bad backs or any other weakness aggravated by lifting: it allows you to lift up, and lay down baby without bending or stopping. So if you have had a difficult birth and need a little recovery time the Snugglebundl means you can be a little more independent. It has been safety tested and gets the thumbs up from chiropractors and midwives too and grandparents and elderly carers like it for is ease of use and safety element.

There are lots of travel systems on the market now that allow you to move baby in his car seat while asleep but the best position a baby can sleep is flat – using this blanket means you can transfer baby into a flat position without waking him– priceless at times! Actually it’s great for transferring him from car seat to pushchair, to shopping trolley, to floor, to cot...

The big question, would you use the Snugglebundl when on holiday? Well...

Obviously it would be a great help when transferring from once place to another as explained above. It would also certainly be a bonus on a flight, especially if you have a cot on the plane and there is unexpected turbulence which means you have to get baby on your lap. This could help keep him asleep transferring from cot to lap and vice versa, a godsend on long haul flights. So yes a neat little travel blanket and it would be great if they designed a lightweight version for hot climates too...

We have a Snugglebundl to give away to one lucky winner in our Holiday Tots competition. Just visit the Holiday Tots website (home of individual child friendly holiday properties) and answer the question here. Good luck!! (Competition closes 31st July 2012)

For more details on the Snugglebundl visit their website www.snugglebundl.co.uk

Take your own Travelling Nanny with you this year.

Ever thought how great it would be to take a nanny with you on Holiday? Linda and Michaela talk about their travelling nanny company in our guest blog post...

Your ticket to a stress-free family holiday by My Travelling Nanny

Family holidays are the highlight of each year.  Time to spend time together without the daily pressures of deadlines and chores. To be in an environment where your “things to do” list is based on relaxation and exploring, and where (hopefully) wall-to-wall sunshine, a great pool or beach,  and stunning scenery, puts everyone in a good mood.

Undeniably, however, it can be hard work with little ones- keeping them happy and entertained, as well as suncreamed and safe!  And over- excitement, coupled with jet lag or a long car journey, can make at least the first few days very challenging, and normal routines are sometimes not easy to keep.

Having your own holiday nanny could be exactly what you need to make your holiday a real holiday.

Another pair of hands and eyes on the beach, and in the pool.  Someone to walk the baby to sleep in the pram, while you keep your toddler in the shade in the heat of the day.  Someone to sort out the sandy beachbags and get the children in the bath, while you prepare their dinner.  Someone to stay there while you pop down to the local restaurant for your own dinner, and some chill-out time.

My Travelling Nanny, like Holiday Tots, is a small, family-run business with a personal touch.  We hand-pick our nannies just as Holiday Tots hand-picks their properties.  Like them, we understand the needs of families with young children.

It’s so easy to book.  Just a phone call or email to Linda and Michaela.  Then select which prospective nanny/nannies you want to interview. They will come to your home and meet you all.  They will travel with you, so no more nightmare flights/car journeys and arriving at your destination stressed and exhausted before your holiday has even begun.

Most importantly, your holiday nanny will be able to begin forming bonds with your children so that you can breathe a deep sigh of relief, and know that this time you might actually be able to notice the scenery, and maybe even take a little time out to enjoy the sun and sangria.

Holiday Nannies are not only accessible to the rich and famous.  My Travelling Nanny offers an affordable service  - Standard Nannies as well as Experienced/Qualified Nannies – something for every pocket. All personally interviewed, vetted and reference checked by Linda and Michaela.  And as an agency, My Travelling Nanny has many testimonials from happy families and an increasing number of repeat customers. It has also had success and commendations in both national and local business competitions for new enterprises.

Why not consider sharing a holiday nanny if you are holidaying with another family, and share the costs?  Prices start at £325 per week for a nanny working 6/7 hours per day and babysitting for 3 evenings. NB All travel/accommodation/meals costs are paid by the family.

Please visit our website : www.mytravellingnanny.co.uk.  Linda and Michaela can be contacted on 020 8133 3126, or email them at info@mytravellingnanny.co.uk.

Virgin Airlines with Babies and toddlers

We are looking to book a holiday to California (and maybe find a few holiday properties along the way!) and so I thought I would update you on Virgin Airways policy and young babies.

For Freddie (who will be 16 months at the time of travel in September) there is a charge of £94. This is not for a seat for him but for him to be seated on my lap. If you prefer your little one to have their own seat they offer infant care chairs, (a child safety seat specifically designed for airline use) pioneered by Virgin Atlantic for children aged six months up to around three years.

Skycots

New born babies can travel after day 7.

‘The skycot (bassinet), is available to all new born babies up to approximately 12 months of age (depending on weight and height). After take-off, the cabin crew will install the skycot for you. Infants under 12 months of age, less than 9kg in weight and less than 76cm in height will fit in all skycots. Other skycots, allowing for babies up to 11kg in weight, are available on selected aircraft types but cannot be guaranteed and are subject to change up to the day of departure.Some types of skycots can be used during turbulence, but most will require you to remove your child if the seatbelt signs are illuminated during flight. ‘

Luggage allowance

You are allowed one item free of charge i.e. collapsible pushchair, carry basket or car seat. Babies also get their own luggage allowance which equals one piece maximum 23 kilos.

Complimentary nappies, bottles and baby foods are readily available in every class but do check before travel that they have what you want!

Older kids

‘The airline offers special children's meals - plain food designed especially to appeal to children, including a main meal, Dairylea dunkers, a gingerbread man biscuit, a selection of fruit, Haribo sweets and a yoghurt Frube stick. Passengers can book these when booking their flights to ensure a meal is a reserved for them on the day of departure.’