All posts by Katherine

Types of baby carrier

Babywearing, Parenting,

There are many different baby carriers and slings available, with something suitable for every parent’s style. This guide will help you find a carrier to suit you. 

Babywearing is a new skill that may require a little time, practice and often a little help to master, but other parents are always available online and locally to assist. See Slingmeet.co.uk  

Most of the carriers listed here can do a range of different positions and ages – front, back, hip and newborn to 3 or 4 years. 

Success with using them comes down to personal preference, body shape and a little perseverance or help. 

Pouch

A pouch is a tube of material worn over one shoulder to create a pocket for baby to lie or sit in. Great for new parents and newborns because of their simplicity, but less adjustable. 

  • easy to use
  • limited adjustability
  • custom fit – pouch needs to fit you, so probably won’t fit both parents
  • less comfortable for longer periods or with a heavier child

Some pouches are non-adjustable, others have zips or poppers to give more adjustability. 

Ring sling

A ring sling is a rectangle of material with rings sewn in at one end. Worn over one shoulder it forms a pouch in which baby lies or sits and is adjusted using the rings. 

  • versatile
  • very adjustable for exact fit so can be used by different sized adults
  • some learning curve for adjusting using the rings
  • may be less comfortable for longer periods or with a heavier child

Padded ring slings may be easier to learn, but an unpadded ring sling allows for greater adjustability and more versatility.  

Wrap

A wrap is a rectangle of material, wrapped around you and baby and tied. Wraps come in a variety of widths and lengths, and are usually worn over both shoulders 

  • versatile – front, back and hip carries
  • comfortable for long periods and heavier babies or toddlers
  •  very adjustable for exact fit and can be used by different sized adults
  •  more of a learning curve than some carriers

 Stretchy wraps are easier with a newborn, whereas woven wraps are more supportive for a heavier child. 

 

Asian baby carrier and soft structured carrier

An asian baby carrier (ABC) is a soft carrier with a rectangular body and straps, fastened by tying or buckles. A structured soft carriers has buckles and more padding.  

  • easy to learn
  • comfortable for long periods or with a heavier child
  •  one size can be used by different sized adults
  •  great for back carries
  •  more suitable for babies with good head control

The mei-tai  is the most common ABC, with four straps and ties around the waist. 

Framed carriers

A framed carrier has a structured metal or padded frame like a rucksack, padded shoulder straps and a waist belt.

  • suitable for 6 months+
  • back carries only
  • may incorporate storage space
  • needs to fit well to carry weight evenly

A framed carrier needs to fit well in the same way as a well-fitted rucksack. Some models hold baby away from your body, making child seem heavier and affecting your balance. But a well fitted one can be very comfortable for long periods, with a heavy baby.

Education Choices Pt 2: State school, independent school or home education?

Beyond babyhood, Education, Learning, Parenting, , , , ,

There are three main choices for educating your child in England – State school, Independent school or Home Education…

When to start:

Every parent in England has to, by law, provide an education from the start of the term following their child’s fifth birthday.

School stages and ages

(State schools and many independent schools)

Primary:

  • Key Stage 1: Reception, years 1 and 2 (5 to 7 yrs old)
  • Key Stage 2: Years 3 to 6 (ages 8 to 11)

Secondary:

  • Key Stage 3: Year groups 7 to 9 (ages 12 to 14)
  • Key Stage 4: Year groups 10 and 11 (ages 15 and 16)
  • Year Groups 12 and 13 (ages 17 and 18) are referred to as Post 16.

In many other countries formal education does not start until age seven, as it does in independent Steiner Waldorf schools. And within home education it is common for informal methods to be used for the majority of a child’s education.

If you prefer to start school later, you can delay your child’s school start as long as you like by home educating, then apply to schools when your child is ready. With pre-school aged children you may choose to do things full-time as a family, or supplement with play-based settings such as nurseries, playgroups.

How to Choose a School

Inspection reports, reviews and league tables can all be helpful, but you can learn far more by visiting a school and talking to pupils and observing the teachers and pupils.

Remember to ask lots of questions.
How does the school seem to you?
Do the teachers and children seem happy and how do they interact with each other?

It is important to remember that not all children will benefit from a high ranking academic school, and there is more to school than what you learn.

Any reports of a school, whether by writers or parents are subjective, based on their own opinion and background, and may not necessarily reflect your or your children’s priorities or viewpoints.

Mixing it up

Many parents will use a different option at different times, or for different children, depending on their individual needs. Another option is flexi-schooling, where a child is registered at school, but attends part-time at the discretion of the head teacher and is home educated offsite the rest of the time.

Find out more

 

<< Back to: Pt 1: What would suit your child and family?

On to: Pt 2a: State School >>

How do you rate you Local Authority EHE department and staff?

Home education

Many home educators have problems when dealing with their Local Authority. These often stem from the prevalent pro-schooling culture, lack of understanding about why parents choose to home educate and how it differs so drastically from school, and widespread misinterpretation of the law. Experinces vary drastically from authority to authority and with different staff members.

The HED : The Home Education Database (http://www.theartofsurvival.co.uk/hed/) website allows home educators to

  • Find out about the EHE staff at your Local Authority and read reviews of them.
  • Submit information about, and rate, the staff in your area.
  • Find home education groups near you.

Food chains

Children's books, Learning,

A few resources on food chains.

Websites

Books:

  • The Magic School Bus Gets Eaten: A Book About Food Chains
  • Yum Yum (Wonderwise)
    It reads very well as a story, without any extra information disturbing the flow, making this great as a story book.
    Beautifully illustrated and not too simplistic in its view of food chains. It extends the concept to food circles/cycles and includes what happens when an animal dies, the fact that plants use nutrients from decomposed animals as food, and illustrates that there may be different consumers of that same plant (in this case).
  • Staying Alive: the story of a food chain

Things to think about

Food chains give a simplistic and potentially misleading view, which is more accurately shown in a food web and food cycle/circle. The missing piece of the puzzle with much of the information is that plants require nutrients as do fungi and algae. These come from decomposted plants, animals and their waste materials. The emphasis on linear chains and the misleading idea that plants are the start of a process requiring nothing but water and sunlight, obscure the vital imporatance of recycling nutrients – the very foundation of a healthy ecosystem. Importance of parasites is often overlooked as well.

What do you really need for your new baby?

Babycare, Eco-Living, Parenting, Shopping,

Although most of us spend a lot of money on things for our new babies, having a baby need not be expensive. Babies actually need very little, and what you do need doesn’t have to be cost a lot.

Every family finds they value different things and their baby wish list will be different.

A useful approach is to get the absolute minimum before baby is born, and then only get things if and when you find you need them. Ask yourself – is this essential?

Less stuff

There are many reasons to buy less – it saves money, has less impact on the environment and less clutter makes for a simpler life.

Buy 2nd hand

Go along to our local Nearly New Sale where you will be able to pick up things up at very reasonable prices. For safety reasons there are some things like car seats and mattresses which you are advised to buy new.

Beg and borrow and freecycle

Many parents want to get rid of stuff they no longer, or maybe never used. So ask around. Find out about your local Freecycle or Freegle.

Gifts

If you write a gift list then friends and family can get you something that you actually want.

Feeding

Breastfeeding is the cheapest option and most environmentally friendly option. You’ll almost certainly need nursing bras. Some women need breastpads. Nursing tops can be a good investment, but aren’t necessary.

Bottle feeding expressed milk and formula feeding both need much more equipment – bottles, teats, steriliser. Powdered formula is cheaper. For expressing you’ll need storage bottles/bags and although some mums express successfully by hand, most use a pump.

Clothes

All a young baby really needs are a few baby suits. And depending on the time of year a few more layers for warmth – a hat, gloves and a jacket. Don’t get too many – they’ll grow out of them quick!

Nappies

The cheapest long-term option is reusable nappies. Although you’ll have a bigger initial outlay you save over £600 for a single baby. Your council may have a scheme where you can claim money back for using reusable nappies. To cut costs and be as environmentally friendly as possible wash your nappies at a lower temperature, and line dry, or use a nappy laundry service.

You’ll need: Changing mat, nappies, nappy bucket, reusable wipes, waterproof nappy bag.
The Real Nappy Information Service Helpline: 08458 500606 www.goreal.org.uk

Another option is elimination communication or natural infant hygiene which cuts out or reduces nappies altogether. http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/ or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecuk/

Toys

A new baby doesn’t need any toys. Though you’ll be hard pressed to stop people buying cuddly toys!

Baths

Babies only really need a quick wipe with warm water and cotton wool, or a washable cloth. Bath with your baby, or as baby needs to be held the sink or a little water in the adult bath will do.

Sleep

The simplest option is bed-sharing – no equipment needed.
www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/sharingbedleaflet.pdf

Alternatively start with a Moses basket, crib or carry cot, then skip the cot and go for a cot bed. Or skip the Moses basket and go straight to the cot, or bedside cot/cosleeper which adjusts to the same height as your bed for easier night feeds. No pillows, cot bumpers, quilts or duvets – they are a suffocation risk.

Out and about

You’ll need a car seat unless you never travel anywhere by car.

A sling is a cheap, versatile option. Find out more at slingmeet.co.uk and thebabywearer.com.

A light weight reclining pushchair suitable for newborns will last longest. Expensive travel systems or prams may not be useful for long, so maybe borrow, buy 2nd hand or do without! There is a bewildering range of pushchairs and travel systems. What suits you will depend on whether you use a car, public transport and other factors. www.which.co.uk/reviews/baby-and-child/

1st issue of EOS – Education Outside School

Home education, Magazines and blogs,

The first issue of the eagerly awaited home education magazine EOS is now out.

It’s available in an online format only, at www.educationoutsideschool.co.uk, free of charge. It is hoped that it will be a much needed resource for new and experienced HE families, but something which also makes an informative and valuable contribution to how HE is seen in the UK, and beyond – a step towards normalising home ed and give it a more positive image.

Sheringham

Eco-Living,

Sheringham always stikes me as a town out of time. With no large supermarket it has a high street to make any other town envious. With lots of shops owned by local people it has more than one independent butcher, green grocer, fishmonger, and book shop, and a myriad of other small shops – shoes, toys, health food shop, haberdashery and more.

Tesco wants to build a supermarket and the issue has divided the town. Although the alternative eco-Waitrose further complicates the matter.

What I think many of those supporting Tesco fail to see is that it is a choice between Tesco and the existing shops. A high street like this will not survive with a large supermarket in the mix. The other shops will disappear to be replaced by empty shops and later tatty tourist wares. Just like so many other high streets across the country. Not only those shops in competiton will go, but as no one but the tourists will venture into the high street – the other shops are likely to vanish too.

And of course local shops are not necesarily more expensive. Often they are cheaper for many things especially fruit and veg, but beaten by the mass marketing of selected cheap lines. And you invariably spend more on things you don’t need when the shelves are full of products that the supermarket wants you to buy.

Paradoxically you often end up with less choice despite the apparently over flowing shelves. You can’t go into a supermarket and request that they stock something you want, unlike an independent shop.