Observer journalist seeks parents as case studies

DonnaLFerguson

Hello, thanks for all the comments, keep them coming!

I'm most keen to talk to people who have actually tried different gadgets (know about Ewen the dreamsheep) and are willing to talk to me about whether they are a waste of money or not.

Has anyone tried a supplemental nursing system? you wear a tube with formula in and it put the end next to your nipple and the baby puts both in his/her mouth. Supposed to help if you're struggling with breastfeeding. Costs £30 - anyone tried it?

Other people have mentioned nappy wrapper bins - anyone tried them, and now for or against spending money on them?

Also, any courses you went on with the baby to aid their development - be interesting to know whether you think they were worth the money or made a difference.

Any other suggestions of things that parents spend money on that I should cover?

You can tweet me @DonnaLFerguson or email me: Donna.freelancer+media@gmail.com

Thanks again for all your help and on-topic comments.

Flossie.

Never heard of most of the above Donna ^^^ Sorry. I do remember being bathed in the sink though when I was a nipper. Oh and in a plastic bath in front of the fire. I am not familiar with anything you mention though Donna, sorry.

Carmina-Piranha_2

Article here: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/31/baby-care-sleepless-parents-expensive

Tropez

You can make £250 an hour being a "sleep consultant"?

Other than the morally abhorrent con that clearly is, I might have to consider that...

System

McKneff wrote: »

When both my children were born 1968 and 1972 they were bathed in a washing up bowl in front of the fire in the sitting room.
When the weather got warmer, they were bathed in the kitchen sink till they were about 2/3 then they got promoted to the big bath.....


It cost us absolutely nothing, and even baby wipes hadn't been invented......

My Grandson gets bathed in the sink when I have him. He's just gone 12 months old and still fits in it perfectly.

Baby wipes? Well I did buy some but I prefer soft white flannels from Mothercare personally. I have bought one of those ear thermomenters for when he's off colour but after 5 kids I think I can recognise a fevered brow when I feel one.

Top and tail bowls? What the heck? £6 for a bit of plastic when a 1ltr margarine tub will do. Why separate the plastic anyway? You start at the 'clean' bits before moving onto the dirty bits.

I could go on....

System

I too now want a dream sheep

tomtontom

Carmina-Piranha wrote: »

Article here: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/31/baby-care-sleepless-parents-expensive

How much do people get paid to write this gumph?

Caroline_a

Lactation consultant?? World's going mad...

Tigsteroonie

For teething babies, there’s also a new “hi-tech” solution: a vibrating teether from Munchkin that costs £7. “When a baby bites down on the teether, gently massaging vibrations are activated, providing relief exactly when it’s needed on the gums,” a spokesperson said.

New? Andrew's had a vibrating teether in the shape of a strawberry for at least two years, he likes it for sensory feedback via his mouth. And the battery has lasted for those two years