:::::September 2010::::

::::::        issue         ::::::

Welcome to our autumn e-newsletter!

This is a bumper edition and we hope you will enjoy reading it...

Having completed the 2010 Baby Skincare Products trial,  we have had a wee break from testing. However, this does not mean we have been idle...

I have been busy spreading the word about safe baby skincare and breastfeeding support for new mums: I travelled to the United Arab Emirates (see our featured article) and to Weleda HQ in Nottingham. To read more about my adventures check out my Diary page and the TIPS press cuttings page.

Our featured websites are about two innovative products for new parents. Cariboo Cribs offer a delightful selection of wooden cribs that can be customised with accessories and a variety of finishes, fabrics and options to suit your needs. We are thrilled to announce that Cariboo Cribs have kindly offered one lucky winner a folding crib worth £179.99 – for more details check out our e-newsletter competition.

The Twig Group features Maternitrees - an innovative idea to encourage us to plant a tree to celebrate the birth of our children. This is a simple idea with a long lasting impact. Readers can win one of two Rowan Maternitree kits check out our mini-competition below.

We have reviewed two books. The Maxie and Teddy wipe-able Medicine and Food Diaries are a clever idea to help you keep track of the medicines your child may be taking, or keep an eye on what foods your child is eating. They are wipe-clean and come with a china graph pencil. I certainly wish these had been available when my children were young! The other book is a free download from Shell called Activate, with the aim of introducing your children to the joys of science-based experiments during the summer holidays.

You can also enjoy our regular mix of upcoming events, articles, DVD, podcasts, plus our delightful new set of photos from TIPS Testers. Our eagerly anticipated My Story which is about breastfeeding and the frustrating journey to success, and  part 3 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Check out our seven mini-competitions and Make sure you email your entries to Brigitte. You too could be a TIPS winner...

Remember if you are not ‘in’ you can’t win!

read TIPS reviews...
- advice line

- articles

- books

- DVD

- event

- facebook nEw

- knitting pattern nEw

- podcasts

product

- websites

regular features....
Diary of a student midwife

- My Story

latest news

- TIPS Testers' pix!

new competitions

- competition winners

Babycare back to basics

- TIPS top tips

Featured product :: TIPS-tested Flexibath 2010* When attending the Glasgow Baby Show in April this year I was lucky to meet up with the UK distributor of the Flexibath and I decided to invite the company to submit it for a retrospective trial in the baby bath category. I liked the idea of a folding bath. This can be useful for holidays or for people who are short of space at home. You can read what our parent Testers thought of this new product here. *Retrospective trial where a product is tested individually. This may be carried out for a product which is brought to Sharon’s attention before a new trial is set-up for this particular category. [back to top] For a chance to win a Flexibath check out mini-competition 1.... Featured website :: www.cariboocribs.co.uk www.cariboocribs.co.uk The Cariboo Folding Crib is a practical and stylish choice for parents who have limited room, or want the convenience of a foldable crib. The wood frame has a sleek and contemporary profile but still provides the sturdiness Cariboo cribs are renowned for. The Cariboo Folding Crib is ideal for parents who want the ease of a foldable crib, but do not want to compromise on style and design features.  The Cariboo Folding Crib is suitable for babies up to 5 months of age or until baby is rolling over, and is weight rated to 10kg. When folded the Cariboo Folding Crib can easily be stored under a bed or in a cupboard it is perfect for travelling families. For a soft and flowing touch to your crib, you can simply attach the Cariboo Veil and Arm. You can also easily convert the Cariboo Folding Crib into a change surface by adding the Cariboo Crib Changer attachment. The Cariboo Folding Crib is truly eco-friendly. All materials used in the manufacture of the crib are non-toxic and PBDE-free from the sustainable New Zealand Radiata wood frame, to the lead free satin finish.  Every Cariboo product is handcrafted from the finest materials and manufactured in New Zealand. Cariboo cribs are skillfully designed and can be customised to suit your family's lifestyle.  All items in the collection can be mixed and matched, allowing flexibility to create a unique nursery suite for your child.  You can see the full range of Cariboo cribs and accessories at www.cariboocribs.co.uk Cariboo is pleased to offer one lucky TIPS reader a Cariboo Folding Crib, in your choice of either Natural with White Fabric or Rimu with White Fabric, valued at £179.99. For a chance to win a Cariboo Crib check out our e-newsletter competition.... [back to top] Featured website :: www.maternitree.co.uk www.maternitree.co.uk - The Maternitree Campaign The Maternitree Campaign encourages parents, friends and relatives of newborn and young children to plant trees to mark their births. It is run by The Twig Group, a family-owned landscaping and conservation company. Funded by David Eyre in 2002, Twig was awarded Kent Business of the Year 2010. David’s passion for conservation led to the launch of the Maternitree Campaign. Its aim is to plant the equivalent of a 1,000 hectare forest every year.  More than 700,000 babies are born in England and Wales every year, so if every newborn’s family plants a tree then this can be achieved. The campaign is in its infancy, and Twig’s Maternitree Warden horticulture specialist Dave Davis is acting as midwife for the scheme. Dave, his wife, Sarah, and their baby daughter, Aurelia, have got together with friends from their local branch of the National Childbirth Trust to support the Maternitree campaign (see pictures below). Dave Davis and the new parents Have you planted a tree to mark a birth? If so, please email Twig a photo of the tree and the baby, along with the baby’s name and date of birth for posting up on www.maternitree.co.uk Twig’s Maternitree starter kits include a sapling tree, a guard, a tree tie instructions, aftercare information and advice. A kit costs £9.95.  For each tree sold, 50 pence is being donated to the Woodland Trust. To find out more about the Maternitree Campaign and many other exciting projects by The Twig Group: •    go to www.twiggroup.co.uk •    email Dave Davis (Maternitree Warden)  at dave@twiggroup.co.uk For a chance to win a chance to win one of two Rowan Maternitree kits check out mini-competiton 2. [back to top] Featured book :: Maxie and Teddy wipe-able Medicine and Food Diaries RRP: £5 (gift wrap available) Available from: www.maxieandteddy.com   The Maxie and Teddy diaries were created by Denise Hill. Both Denise’s children suffered from various allergies and needed to take medicines regularly. They were also fussy eaters. To keep a track of what they were eating, and of their medication, Denise devised her own food and medicine diaries. The diaries can be updated then wiped clean. The diary can be shared between people who look after a child. Because they are reusable, the diaries can be passed down to the next child or used in the formal setting of a nursery. As soon as I was heard about these diaries I remembered the random post-it notes that I used to stick on kitchen cabinets to keep track of antibiotic or paracetamol doses – these would invariably end up on the floor and be lost! I wish these diaries had been available when our children were young. This is why I was keen to ask one of our Parent Testers what she thought of them. (by Sharon) The Maxie and Teddy Food Diary and Medicine Diary are a very handy and useful way to keep track of children's daily routines. Each diary is wipe-able and comes with a china graph pencil. So you can use the diaries again and again. At £5 this is a highly cost-effective alternative to standard notebooks. The Medicine Diary has a page for each day with space for you to record the time you administered medicine, the type and amount of medicine and the child’s temperature. Each page also has a notes section where you can write down any other symptoms or concerns that you have about the child. This is particularly useful as there have been occasions when I have taken my children to the doctor and been asked questions about symptoms, frequency and how long ago they started. Answering such questions accurately can be quite difficult, yet with this diary everything could be recorded for the doctor. The Food Diary is laid out like the Medicine Diary, with a page for each day. You can record the time the food or milk was eaten and the type of food. The notes section could be used to record: the amount of milk given; whether the child liked or disliked any of the food; and any adverse reaction to the food. This diary would be especially useful for a child who is looked after by a childminder or by grandparents as it would let parents see what their child's daily food/drink intake. With this information, they could make sure that the child has a healthy and varied diet. Although the Food Diary is designed for babies and children, it could be used for adults. I have recently been tested for food intolerance. As a result of this, I had to avoid many foods for 6 weeks. I then had to reintroduce one food at a time and note the reaction to see if my body could tolerate it. This diary would have been ideal for recording this, and it would have made it so much easier to look back and identify any patterns. I highly recommend these diaries and I think they will be extremely useful in our household for many years to come!!  (Review by Nicola TIPS Parent Tester) For a chance to win a diary check out mini-competition 3 [back to top] Featured downloadable book :: Activate Shell has just released Activate, a free online booklet of kitchen sink experiments for parents to use with their children over the school holidays.The booklet contains simple science experiments that parents can do with their children such as building an explosive soft drink fountain or growing your own crystals, all using materials you would find around the home. The booklet is free and can be downloaded from: www.shell.co.uk/ses [back to top] Featured event :: Prince of Wales Garden Party Clarence House, Lancaster House and Marlborough House 8 to 19 September 2010 - 10am to 6pm HRH the Prince of Wales has announced that he is joining forces this summer with musicians, comedians, environmental experts and some of Britain’s best known companies to create a unique festival in the heart of London. The Prince is opening up his own gardens at Clarence House, together with his neighbours’ gardens at Lancaster House and Marlborough House. The event aims to give people of all ages a fun day out while at the same time, via the exhibits, demonstrating the small steps that can, and are, being taken by all of us, interested in building a more sustainable future. You can find out more here… You can buy tickets here…. Special offer for supporters of The Prince’s Rainforests Project… Sign up here and get 4 tickets for the price of 3 or enjoy a 25% reduction on a family ticket via Ticketmaster [back to top] Featured articles :: Arab Health Magazine Following my recent trip the United Arab Emirates  to speak about breastfeeding at two Breastfeeding Awareness Seminars I was invited to write about my experiences. The resulting article has just been published in the Arab Health Magazine. The full reference is: Trotter S (2010). An invitation to promote breastfeeding in the UAE – more than just a free lunch! August (opinion): pp 42-44. Read the article here..... [back to top] Featured article :: Epi-no device – could this be the answer to avoiding damage during childbirth? I came across an interesting letter in the MIDIRS Digest debating the product ‘Epi-no’ This product claims to help avoid the need for a surgical cut during childbirth (called an episiotomy) by gently stretching the vagina in preparation for a natural birth. This device is recommended from 37 weeks pregnant and costs around £90 to buy. You can find out more here…. As a midwife I was obviously keen to know more so I contacted the author of the letter. Judy Slome, a home birth midwife (practising in Israel) has a lot of experience using this ‘birth trainer’ and has written extensively about it. She has kindly given me permission to post a copy of her article (The Pseudo-Complex Business of birthing without tearing your perineum) so you can find out more about this fascinating product. Personally, I cannot comment on this device or recommend it to you but I thought it was worth featuring so you can make up your own minds.  You can read the article here…. For a chance to win an ‘Epi-no’ device (worth £89.99) complete with personal tutorial check out mini-competition 5 [back to top] Featured video clip :: Let's go to school! A DVD specially created to help children who are anxious about going to school. © Lions Gate Home Entertainment UK Ltd.  All Rights Reserved   Never before seen on UK TV, this will be out on DVD from the 6 September, just in time for the new term! RRP: £9.99 Running time: 31 minutes When my son and I started to watch the DVD, "Let's Go To School" my first reaction was that it was quite babyish and I didn't think it would appeal to him, let alone help alleviate any of his fears regarding starting school. However I was very wrong my son thoroughly enjoyed the DVD and immediately asked to watch it a second time. After watching it a couple of times, he spent the rest of the day telling me how he wasn't scared to go to school anymore and that he was now looking forward to it as school was going to be good fun! The DVD is animated with lots of bright colours. It also includes 5 sing-along songs and I noticed that my son was actually trying to join in and sing, while rocking on the couch in time to the music! The message repeated many times throughout the programme is that everyone is nervous about their first day at school and that it is ok to be a bit nervous. I think this definitely helped my son feel more relaxed about the 'big day'. The DVD is curriculum based and includes some learning material for the children – for example counting to twenty and phonics. This is an added bonus as it familiarises the children with some of the aspects of school life. The DVD is only 31 minutes long this is ideal for its young target audience. It is short enough to hold their attention but also long enough to emphasise the key message that school is fun. I think this would be an invaluable tool for all nurseries and pre-schools. Children could watch it as they chat about the move up to primary school. It would also be excellent for the parents of any child that is apprehensive about starting school. (Review by TIPS Parent Tester Nicola and her son Cameron) Here is very smart little boy all ready to start his first day at school. Bet Cameron will not look quite so neat when he returns home! For a chance to win a chance to win one of two copies of ‘Let’s go to school’ check out mini-competiton 4. [back to top] Featured podcasts :: My Baby Radio www.mybabyradio.com was launched on DAB digital radio in April 2010 Broadcasting across Cheshire, Staffordshire and North East Wales. Sharon’s latest interview on Tongue-tie is now being featured online. Previous  interviews on breastfeeding, baby skincare, cup feeding, baby baths, cuddle towels, decongestants and many more are regularly broadcast on www.mybabyradio.com on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and midday and between 5 and 6pm (in the ‘ask an expert’ slot). You can listen online here... [back to top] Diary of a Student Midwife :: Part 3 In part 2 of ‘Diary of a Student Midwife’ our student described her first secondment into the community and a tragic experience in the antenatal clinic. This time we follow her as she experiences her first stint in Labour Suite and really gets to grips (pardon the pun!) with catching babies! Read more here... [back to top] Featured My Story :: Long time journey to exclusive breastfeeding… Our story covers the long and often frustrating journey from misdiagnosis of lactose intolerance and tongue-tie through to exclusive breastfeeding including donation of breastmilk from a kind donor. It charts the highs and lows of dealing with conflicting advice and highlights the sheer determination needed to overcome many obstacles in order to avoid the need for specialist formula feeds and a lifetime being labelled as intolerant to milk dairy products. Gillian hopes that by sharing her story, she will help other mothers going through similar troubles. You can read Gillian's My Story here.... [back to top] nEw nEw ** :: Knitting pattern ** nEw Inspired by the book ‘Fit to Bust’ by Alison Blenkinsop, this baby hat (modelled here by Alison’s godson Thomas) can be yours, if you have the skills. Alison has kindly agreed to share the knitting pattern with anyone who wishes to knit their own. You can get the pattern here…. We reviewed in TIPS e-newsletter 10 (soon to be available as an archived issue on TIPS). Profits from the sale of this book go to Baby Milk Action to help its vital work of protecting breastfeeding, and protecting babies fed on formula, by ending the irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes. You can become a member or make a donation to Baby Milk online here... [back to top] nEw feature ** :: Facebook pages ** nEw A wonderful selection of historical pictures of mother’s breastfeeding including; 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century sections, plus images charting the ancient history of breastfeeding. What country has produced the most inspiring and innovative breastfeeding billboards? [back to top] *** latest news***   EU logo for organic food From 1 July 2010, all pre-packaged organic food produced in any of the 27 EU member states must feature this new logo. Existing national logos for organic food will be allowed to appear next to the new EU logo. [back to top]

TIPS tips of the month Launched in 2009 Graze provides boxes of natural food posted to people at work or home: fresh and dried fruit, nuts, seeds, crackers, olives and organic treats.  Visit www.graze.com to find how more. Free eCards from Earth Mama Angel Baby [back to top] TIPS baby We think you will agree this is the most touching picture of mum and baby Zach. Thank you to Mum Priscilla for sharing this picture with us. Here is a wonderfully cheeky picture of baby Bailey trying his hand at baby-led weaning with comical results! [back to top] TIPS toddler On the subject of baby-led weaning, here is another lovely shot of toddler Liv after a delicious snack of something very chocolaty! [back to top] TIPS bump We thought we would go ‘inside’ the bump to show you two of our lovely TIPS babies early on in pregnancy – these two ultrasound scan pictures belong to two of our Parent Testers they both turned out to be baby boys who are now almost sitting up!…. [back to top] TIPS family As we welcome in the autumn we thought you would enjoy this sunny picture of Soshanna’s family as they soak up the South African sun at Camps Bay (with the famous Lion’s Head Mountain in the background) which is just past Simon's Town in Cape Town. [back to top] TIPS Breastfeeder This is a delightful picture of toddler Mia checking out the temperature of mummy's milk after the birth of new baby brother. If you have any doubts about the benefits of ‘full term’ breastfeeding (baby-led with no age limit) have a look at an amazing video here... Here is Rachael, aged two and still breastfeeding herself, showing us how to breastfeed her dolly before bedtime. Thank you to Mummy for sending us this gorgeous picture. [back to top] Keep on emailing your photos! If they are featured, we will send you a dedicated copy of Sharon's book Breastfeeding: the essential guide. [back to top] Newsletter competition..... Our featured website, Cariboo Cribs has kindly donated a Cariboo Folding Crib, in your choice of either Natural with White Fabric or Rimu with White Fabric, valued at £179.99. For a chance to win all you have to do is email the word ‘Cariboo’ to Brigitte by 26 November 2010 -  we will announce the winner in e-newsletter 21. [back to top] mini competition 1 Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE For a chance to win a Flexibath email the word ‘ Flexibath’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winner in TIPS e-newsletter 21 [back to top] mini competition 2 For a chance to win one of two Rowan Maternitrees email the word ‘Maternitree’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 21 [back to top] mini competition 3 For a chance to win a set of the Maxie and Teddy books email the words ‘maxie and teddy’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winner in e-newsletter 21 [back to top] mini competition 4 For a chance to win one of two copies of the ‘Let’s go to school’ DVD email the words ‘Leapfrog DVD’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 21 [back to top] mini competition 5 For a chance to win an ‘Epi-no’ device email the word ‘Epi-no’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 21 [back to top] mini competition 6 For a chance to win one of two sets of JASON Award winning goodies email the word ‘JASON’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 21 Prize may differ from products shown.   [back to top] mini competition 7 For a chance to win this delightful eco-friendly wooden pull-along duck email the word ‘duck’ to Brigitte here by 26 November 2010. We will announce the winner in TIPS e-newsletter 21 [back to top] Baby care back to basics Version 7 (updated in line with the latest research) out now! Sponsored by TIPS award winning company Halos N Horns this award winning leaflet is distributed around the UK at various professional and parenting events. Health professionals and maternity units can buy hard copies – email Sharon for more information. As well as all the hints and tips you need about baby skincare, skin-to-skin contact and feeding but, this leaflet now includes the latest and safest advice on reducing the risk of cot death. Email Sharon if you would like a free copy. [back to top]

Read more...

::::::June 2010::::::

::::::    issue    ::::::

Welcome to our summer e-newsletter!

We hope you will enjoy our newly themed newsletters which will reflect the seasons. Talking of makeovers, thank you to those of you who took the time to say how much you enjoyed our new look TIPS® website. The TIPS® team has been busy working behind the scenes to publish all archived content on the new site (including all the previous TIPS e-newsletters) so you can still find your favourite pages. We will continue to bring you the very best selection of high quality features alongside our regular variety of news and gorgeous pictures from you, our readers.

We are delighted to announce that the final results of the TIPS 2010 Baby Skincare Products trials have just been published. This is the culmination of six months hard work to test seven types of products. You can read all the reviews here. 

In this e-newsletter we feature two websites that provide new and innovative services for new parents. The Food Stork provides a home delivery service of home-made, healthy, freezer-ready food. This gives mums and dads more time to enjoy with their newborns. You can read more here, and you can also win your very own box of food heaven by entering our e-newsletter competition. OT4Kids was founded by Munira Adenwalla, an American Occupational Therapist. You can find out more about the services Munira provides here, and enter our competition to win a free 45 minute consultation for your child (conditions apply).

We have reviewed two books: Hold it Sister is about the sensitive subject of female incontinence (this is a must-have for all women); Infant massage: a handbook for loving parents is a well respected favourite with parents and professionals.

We are delighted to bring you another ‘first’ with news of the brand new Speak Now advice line for parents. We featured the Greatvine website in e-newsletter 13 (April 2009). Greatvine introducted an innovative approach to providing ‘experts online’. Speak Now is a tailor-made phone line. It gives instant access to experts in all areas of parenting and wellbeing so you can get the advice you need at a time to suit you. You can find out how it works here.

You can also enjoy our regular mix of upcoming events, articles, video clips, plus our delightful new set of photos from TIPS Testers. Our eagerly anticipated My Story which is about first time breastfeeding, and  part 2 of our Diary of a Student Midwife.

Check out our seven mini-competitions and Make sure you email your entries to Brigitte. You too could be a TIPS winner...

Remember if you are not ‘in’ you can’t win!

read TIPS reviews...
- advice line nEw
- articles
- books
- event

- FAQnEw
magazine
- podcasts
products
- video clips
websites

regular features....
Diary of a student midwife
- My Story

latest news

- TIPS Testers' pix!

new competitions
- competition winners

Babycare back to basics
- TIPS Forum
TIPS top tip

Featured products :: TIPS-tested  baby skincare products 2010 7 types of products tested..... Read about 4 top baby baths Read about 11 top nappy creams Read about 6 top baby oils Read about 7 top baby washes Read about 7 top baby lotions Read about 4 top children’s toothpastes Read about 7 top children’s shampoos Read about the TIPS Special Awards [back to top] For a chance to win one of many baby skincare prizes check out mini-competitions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.... Featured website :: www.thefoodstork.com www.thefoodstork.com Launched in November 2009, The Food Stork provides a tailor-made food delivery service for new parents.  Home-made, healthy, freezer-ready food is delivered to their door, allowing more time for mums and dads to enjoy precious time with their newborns. Fleur Sladen was inspired to launch The Food Stork following her sister’s pregnancy.  Fleur realised that no one was offering ready-made food especially prepared with new mothers in mind. Getting food cooked and stored for her made such a difference to her sister that Fleur was sure that many new mothers would also enjoy getting such a service.   Inspired by the preferences of many new mothers, The Food Stork’s food choices are packed with nutrients and healing antioxidants. This helps nourish and nurture both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers. The Food Stork is based in the beautiful Cotswolds. All the ingredients are locally sourced and the meat is organic and free-range. Most vegetables are home-grown in The Food Stork’s kitchen garden or sourced from the famously fertile Vale of Evesham. The food choices include a sumptuous fish pie, a soothing braised lamb stew with leeks and butter beans and an utterly delicious banana and poppy seed bread all of which are overflowing with natural energy and mood boosters to help invigorate and revitalise.   Sending a Food Stork Box to new parents makes a fantastic and original gift.  Often new mums are far too preoccupied to think about cooking for themselves at a time when food is so important for them. One mum who received The Food Stork Box as a present said it was “the best by a LONG way”. Another happy mum said “As a new mother, The Food Stork was the single most important decision I made for myself. Having such delicious and nutritious food delivered to my door freed up extra time for me to be more available for my daughter. I never stressed about eating well and having time to cook. Fleur Sladen has a talent in the kitchen that goes beyond words”. The gift boxes are beautifully presented and come with a personalised hand-written card.  As each order is made from scratch, delivery is a minimum of 48 hours. The Food Stork currently delivers throughout London, the Midlands and the South West. Prices start at £85 per box. About The Chef: Fleur Sladen has been cooking for private clients for over eight years.  Fleur’s passion for food stems from her childhood. She grew up in the Cotswolds eating from the family’s kitchen garden and helped her father raise their rare breed St Kilda sheep which she still continues to keep. For more information, please contact Fleur Sladen on 01386 858701 or email kitchen@thefoodstork.com or visit www.thefoodstork.com For a chance to win a gift box from The Food Stork check out our e-newsletter competition.... [back to top] Featured website :: www.ot4kids.co.uk www.ot4kids.co.uk ot4kids – Treatment for Infants and Children in London Munira with one of her young clients Munira Adenwalla is an American Trained Paediatric Occupational Therapist. She has been treating children from birth to 7 years of age for the past 12 years. Munira specialises in monitoring, assessing and treating children with a wide range of conditions affecting their movement, learning, social interactions, and development. Treatment takes place in the child’s natural environment where they are most comfortable. Your child may benefit from therapy if they: were premature are slow to reach motor milestones suffer from stiffness or floppiness in arms or legs have difficulty grasping or manipulating objects are unable to calm and self-soothe All children develop at different rates. However, if you are worried about your child’s development, seek professional advice early. They will be able to tell you if your child needs treatment and help put your mind at ease. Using advanced treatment techniques and applying the latest research, Munira helps children: reach their developmental milestones increase core and upper body strength acquire fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination become more confident Kinesio® Taping Munira uses a fun and playful approach to help children become independent. Treatment through play… Munira strongly believes in the benefits of Early Intervention. Research and personal experience have shown that early therapy helps children improve their movement, increase their independence, and minimize or prevent disability. It is never too early to get advice or treatment, even for babies. Visit www.ot4kids.co.uk for useful information on occupational therapy for children.  To book an appointment call: 07540 113 126 For a chance to win a free 45-minute consultation in your own home (conditions apply*) check out mini-competiton 6. [back to top] Featured book :: Hold it Sister By Mary O’Dwyer (pelvic floor physiotherapist) Published by RedSok Publishing, Queensland Australia www.redsok.com.au ISBN: 978-0-9803999-6-7 RRP: AUD $24.99 from www.holditsister.com or £14.99 from www.incoshop.co.uk As a midwife I know a fair bit about the pelvic floor (or ‘flaw’ as Mary calls it). I am well aware of the importance of pelvic floor exercises but I must admit that I have learnt quite a lot from this wonderful book. Mary O’Dwyer uses a warm turn-of-phrase throughout; to perfectly describe how to achieve the best from the equipment nature has given you! I am pleased to say that (mainly by chance) I have been doing many of the right things this must explain why my pelvic floor is not yet round my knees after one section and four vaginal deliveries of very large babies ranging from 8-12lbs!. I do however need a little help to strengthen what I have been left with and this is where Mary’s book comes in so useful. I was not expecting to find this book entertaining but it was. I was not expecting this book to be funny but it often made me chuckle! Most of all I was pleasantly surprised at Mary O’Dwyer’s refreshingly informal and friendly approach to what can be a highly sensitive issue: female incontinence. The text is easy to follow. Excellent descriptions and simple diagrams help explain what the pelvic floor is and how it works. The book is split into sections: possible damage; three steps to learning the correct pelvic floor action; ten healthy habits for the pelvic floor; sex; pelvic floor surgery; menopause and exercises to find and strengthen your own muscles. Here are a few interesting but maybe little known facts: 50 per cent of women have pelvic organ problems after childbirth 30 per cent of operations  to repair the pelvic floor need be repeated if your orgasm is weak so are your pelvic floor muscles bad toileting habits, bad posture, coughing and heavy lifting all prevent the pelvic floor working properly you can greatly improve your pelvic floor muscles by learning to locate and co-ordinate them. I can honestly say this is a ‘must have’ book for ALL women from puberty to the menopause. Don’t take my word for it: buy Hold it Sister for your daughter, your mother, your friend or your relative. I promise you won’t be disappointed. For more information on Mary and her practice go to www.holditsister.com Review by Sharon Trotter For a chance to win one of three copies of this book check out mini-competition 7 [back to top] Featured book :: INFANT MASSAGE: a handbook for Loving parents By Vimala McClure Published by Souvenir Press Ltd; New Ed edition (4 Sep 2001) ISBN-10: 028563617 RRP: £9.99 This book is the ‘Bible of baby massage’... crammed full of information and pictures demonstrating how parents can communicate, through massage, with their baby. There is incredible wisdom in such a little book. The International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) uses it world wide as their instruction guide. The IAIM training is endorsed by leading specialists in infant development - www.iaim.org.uk Review by Cherry Bond RSCN, RGN, CIMI Developmental Care Educator, St Mary’s Hospital, London Positive Touch Specialist email Cherrybond1@aol.com phone 0208 398 6551 www.cherrybond.com [back to top] Featured event :: National Breastfeeding Awareness week 21 27 June 2010 You can find out more about National Breastfeeding Week here.... This information has been collated over the past 3 years and we are delighted to show you the results in a chart.  You may be surprised to see that 92 per cent of the 1050 problems Mums told us about were directly or indirectly associated with conflicting advice and insufficient support! You can view the TIPS chart here… [back to top] Featured articles :: by Patrick M. Houser Patrick M. Houser is author of the Fathers-To-Be Handbook; a roadmap for the transition to fatherhood (reviewed in TIPS e-newsletter 10). He is also a writer, educator, keynote speaker, Social Architect and activist for the family and Director of Fathers-To-Be. This unique website continues to provide excellent materials for new fathers in a bid to provide a greater understanding about the birth process and the transition towards fatherhood. Patrick writes with sensitivity and a wealth of experience. I would like to thank Patrick for offering to share the following articles with us which I guarantee you will enjoy reading: Go Ahead…Use the F Word Breast is Best…for Dads too! Article written for La Leche League Magazine, New Beginnings, August 2009 edition. You can find out more about Patrick’s work or buy the Fathers To Be Handbook here [back to top] Featured video clip :: Newborn breast crawl One of our observant TIPS members sent me this wonderful clip of newborn babies making their way to the breast just after birth. This Lennart Righard film is based on a study which was published in the Lancet* in 1990. Seventy two mothers and their infants were split into two groups. Each group included babies from medicated and unmedicated labours. In the first group, babies were left naked on their mother’s tummy for at least 50 minutes enjoying skin-to-skin contact. These babies began crawling after 20 minutes and were sucking by 50 minutes. In the second group, some babies were separated from mothers and medicated: they never managed to self-attach. Half the mothers who were separated and unmedicated displayed a poor suck in half of the cases. None of the babies who were separated and medicated during labour managed to suckle well. A baby’s reflex baby to crawl to the breast remains intact for several weeks after birth. This film and the research behind it clearly show that leaving mother and baby undisturbed for at least the first hour after birth greatly increases the chance of  successful breastfeeding. You can watch these beautiful images of babies doing what comes naturally here... Added on You Tube™ on 7/4/10 Video by Lennart Righard and Kittie Frantz © 1995 *Righard L & Alade M (1990). Effect of delivery room routines on success of first breastfeed. The Lancet; Vol 336: 1105-07. [back to top] Featured video clip :: by UNICEF and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action This You Tube video clip was published by UNICEF and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action in July 2009. This was to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week in August 2009. The three minute film highlights the importance of breastfeeding to all infants, especially in the developing world and during natural disasters. You can watch it here [back to top] Featured podcasts :: My Baby Radio www.mybabyradio.com launching on DAB digital radio in April 2010 Broadcasting across Cheshire, Staffordshire and North East Wales. Sharon’s latest interview on Tongue-tie is now being featured online. Previous  interviews on breastfeeding, baby skincare, cup feeding, baby baths, cuddle towels, decongestants and many more are regularly broadcast on www.mybabyradio.com on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and midday and between 5 and 6pm (in the ‘ask an expert’ slot). You can listen online here... [back to top]

TIPS tip of the month Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) is now known as Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). You can get information and lots of excellent advice on treatments on the Pelvic Partnership and PINS (Pelvic Instability Network Scotland) websites. [back to top] TIPS baby Here is baby Ben looking adorable in his TIPS green playsuit and blowing us a wee kiss too. Thank you to Mummy and Daddy for sharing these pictures with us. [back to top] TIPS toddler Here is toddler Josh playing happily on a beach in South Africa – lucky boy! [back to top] TIPS bump This is the most innovative thank you card I have ever received so I thought I would share it with you. The pictures say it all…. [back to top] TIPS family Here is baby Ben, the latest arrival to the Roxburgh family. We think you will agree this is a wonderful picture to add to our TIPS® family album! Here is our second family picture featuring Beth (TIPS® Parent tester), her sister Janice, son Josh and Hubby Colin. Beth’s sister Janice (2nd from the left) has just passed her 5 year milestone after being diagnosed with breast cancer but due to drug therapy she has to wait until September 2010 for her 5th year clear. To mark this special anniversary Beth is planning to join the crowds on 19 June 2010 as she takes part in the Edinburgh Moonwalk in aid of Breast Cancer. Here is Beth at last year’s Moonwalk! You can donate on Beth’s sponsorship page here. All money raised is spent in Scotland to help the journey through Breast cancer and to fund ways of stopping this horrid disease from blighting more lives and families. You can donate on Beth’s sponsorship page here. All money raised is spent in Scotland to help the journey through Breast cancer and to fund ways of stopping this horrid disease from blighting more lives and families. [back to top] TIPS Breastfeeder Here is another charming picture of an older baby breastfeeding, this time in the South African sunshine proving that breast milk really is the easiest food to take on holiday with you! [back to top] Keep on emailing your photos! If they are featured, we will send you a dedicated copy of Sharon's book Breastfeeding: the essential guide. [back to top] Newsletter competition..... Our featured website, The Food Stork has kindly donated a gift box worth £100 (inc delivery). For a chance to win all you have to do is email the words ‘The Food Stork’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com (please tell us where you live) by 26 August 2010 -  we will announce the winner in e-newsletter 20 PLEASE NOTE this competition is only for people who live in West London, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire or Worcstershire. The lucky winner will have the chance to choose delicious foods online [back to top] mini competition 1 For a chance to win 1 of 2 sets of 9 Weleda TIPS® award winning products email the word ‘Weleda’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 20 [back to top] mini competition 2 For a chance to win 1 of 2 bottles of  TIPS® award winning cocooning massage oil email the word ‘beginning’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 20 [back to top] mini competition 3 For a chance to win 1 of 2 sets of 6 Earth Friendly Baby TIPS® award winning products email the word ‘EFB’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 20 [back to top] mini competition 4 For a chance to win 1 of 2 sets of 5  Halos N Horns TIPS® award winning products email the words ‘Halos N Horns’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 20 [back to top] mini competition 5 For a chance to win 1 of 2 jars of TIPS® award winning Natalia Baby Bottom  Butter email the words ‘Vital Touch’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 20 [back to top] mini competition 6 For a chance to win a free 45-minute consultation in your own home (conditions apply*) email the word ‘ot4kids’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winner in TIPS e-newsletter 20 *This prize is only for parents who are concerned about their child's motor skills,  development and sensory processing. Children must be under 3 years old and live in Central and South London, Richmond, or West End. [back to top] mini competition 7 For a chance to win 1 of 3 copies of the book Hold it Sister email the word ‘HolditSister’ to brigitte@tipslimited.com by 26 August 2010. We will announce the winners in TIPS e-newsletter 20 [back to top]

nEw feature ** :: FAQs** nEw Sun Protection for babies and children At this time of year I often get queries about sun protection for babies and children. You can find my recently updated advice on this topic in the ‘for parents’ section of our website. [back to top] nEw nEw ** :: One-to-One Phone service from Greatvine.org** nEw "We all find ourselves wishing we knew someone who could give us one-to-one advice on a variety of parenting issues, well now you do!" We featured the Greatvine website in TIPS e-newsletter 13  (April 2009) when this innovative service was launched. I am delighted to announce the launch of Greatvine.com's new and exciting Speak Now telephony service. This service makes it even easier for everyone to reach leading experts for reliable, individual, one-to-one advice and support. It couldn't be simpler there's no need to register. To request a call or book an appointment, just dial and speak. If the experts are unavailable for any reason, they will call you back to let you know they are available. Speak Now has received excellent feedback from experts and members of the public alike. This service will revolutionise the way people receive help and support by providing the right help for you, at a time when you need it. To reach me on my own Speak Now number, call me anytime on 09064006215* if I don't answer, I promise to call you back. My speciality subjects are breastfeeding and baby skincare although I am happy to take calls on any midwifery related issues. You can get the complete listing of the many other experts (over 200 experts are available) on the Greatvine website from relationship problems, self-publishing to bullying go to www.greatvine.com *(Please note, calls to this number cost £1.50/min from a BT landline; costs of calls from mobiles and other networks may vary) Parent review of Greatvine services: Greatvine offers one-to-one help and advice from qualified and experienced professionals on many different topics such as breastfeeding, child sleep and child behaviour. The website is easy to use and by simply typing in the topic that you are looking for advice on, a list of experts is shown, from which you can read all about their qualifications and experience before choosing which individual you would like to speak to. Once you've selected the professional you can book a private call where you get the chance to discuss everything from the comfort of your own home. Another added benefit of the Greatvine website is that you are able to download experts' written materials, many of which are free, so you are able to get some immediate advice even before you arrange a call. Each professionals' feedback is also available to view online which gives you added peace of mind that you are speaking to the right person and that they will be able to help you with your problem. By Nicola -TIPS Parent Tester [back to top] Featured My Story :: First time breastfeeding experience… This My Story follows new mum Natalija as she tries, without much help or support, to breastfeed her new baby daughter. With no close family she encounters many hurdles along the way but her determination is rewarded when things start to fall into place. Thank you to Natalija for sharing this poignant story with us. It is truly inspiring. You can read Natalija’s My Story here.... [back to top] Diary of a Student Midwife :: Part 2 In the last e-newsletter, we introduced a new feature: ‘Diary of a Student Midwife’. This will follow a student’s the journey to qualification over the next three years. Part two is about our student midwife’s first secondment into the community and a tragic experience in the antenatal clinic. Life as a student midwife is not without its trials and tribulations! You can read all about it here. [back to top] Featured magazine :: Essentially MIDIRS Essentially MIDIRS, a new independent monthly publication for maternity health care professionals and students is due to be launched on 1 June 2010. Published by leading UK maternity charity MIDIRS, and edited by well known midwife, author, teacher and researcher, Sara Wickham, Essentially MIDIRS looks set to become a serious consideration for those searching for an evidence-based information learning resource to support them in their practice and studies. The new 54 page colour journal will form an intrinsic part of MIDIRS portfolio of educational resources, all of which aim to support the charity’s mission of assisting in the improvement of maternity care for mothers and babies worldwide. You can pre-subscribe to Essentially MIDIRS online by email enquiries@midirs.org or call 0800 581009 (+44 117 9251791 when you are outside the UK) . For further information phone Sue Penn on 0117 9077594 or e-mail spenn@midirs.org [back to top] *** latest news*** Soil Association comment on LACORS survey of nursery food Back in April LACORS (the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services), published the results of their national survey on the nutritional quality of food served in nurseries. The Soil Association’s ‘Better Nursery Food Now’ campaign welcomes the investigation into this important area of child health but they are concerned that the recommendations of the report do not go far enough. Thousands of people have signed Better Nursery Food Now’s online petition demanding better nursery food for our children, with thousands more people following the campaign’s progress on Twitter. You can join the campaign or sign the petition here.... For more information please contact Clio Turton email  cturton@soilassociation.org or phone 07795 562 556 [back to top]

On the TIPS Forum, members discuss a wide range of subjects, including breastfeeding, baby skincare, parenting, stay-at-home mums, pregnancy, postnatal depression, movies and shopping offers. It remains intimate enough for members to really get to know each other but with but with 142 topics and many more threads to join the possibilities for discussion are endless. Register for the Forum here... [back to top] Baby care back to basics Version 7 (updated in line with the latest research) out now! Sponsored by TIPS award winning company Halos N Horns this award winning leaflet is distributed around the UK at various professional and parenting events. Health professionals and maternity units can buy hard copies – email Sharon for more information. As well as all the hints and tips you need about baby skincare, skin-to-skin contact and feeding but, this leaflet now includes the latest and safest advice on reducing the risk of cot death. Email Sharon if you would like a free copy. [back to top] TIPS winners... e-competitions.. 15 February – 14 April 2010 Q: What is the full name of the website 'corner' where Testers find guidelines and questionnaires for TIPS trials? A: Testers Corner Winner: Sharon from Aberdeenshire 15 April – 17 May 2010 Q: How many products were tested in the latest TIPS baby skincare products trial? A: nearly 50 Winner: Sarah from Cambridgeshire mini-competitions The 2 lucky winners of the Homeplates are: Julie from Ayrshire and Kim from Derbyshire The 12 lucky winners of the belly balms are: Sarah from West Sussex, Kat from Surrey, Emma from West Lothian, Catherine from Lancashire, Rabea from Lanarkshire, Sarah from Cambridgeshire, Natalija from Lancashire, Eileen from Staffordshire, Rebecca from Northamptonshire, Faye from Devon, Jeeny from Leicestershire and Jo from Cambridgeshire. The lucky winners of the CD by Amanda’s Action Kids are Natalie from Cambridgeshire, Lesley from Hampshire, Pauline from the West Midlands, Marica from London and Jenny from Berkshire. The lucky winner of the Being Dad DVD is Kat from Surrey. The 2 lucky winners of the BubbleBum booster seat are Emily from Stirlingshire and Annabel from London. The lucky winner of the HTGC conference place worth £200 is Patrick from England. The 5 lucky winners of the DrBronner’s baby balm are: Jeeny from Leicestershire, Jo from Cambridgeshire, Andrea from London, Nicola from Dorset and Vivi from Tyne and Weir. e-newsletter competition The lucky winner of the Natural Mat Coco Mattress is Nicola from Ayrshire. [back to top]

Read more...

TIPS-tested baby washes

Follow one of the links below to find out more about the baby washes we tested:

Best of the best - Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash

Best Organic - Essential Care Gentle wash & shampoo
Best eco-friendly - Organic Babies no-scent baby wash & shampoo
Best budget - Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash
Highly commended - Halos N Horns Zingy Orange hair & bodywash
Highly commended - Aromababy Pure Baby Wash
Highly commended - Earth’s Best Lavender shampoo and bodywash

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Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash

RRP: £6.95 for 200mls
Price per ml:  3.47p
Supplied and manufactured by www.weleda.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

All products in the Weleda range contain natural raw materials mostly grown organically or biodynamically – this growing method takes into account the seasons and the rhythms of the planets.
Parent Testers loved the creamy consistency of this shampoo bodywash. It smells gorgeous, lathers well and produces bubbles that will not dry out or irritate even the most sensitive skin. One Tester commented on the excellent information Weleda provide on their website.This includes five sections for each product:  ‘about the product’, ’ingredients’, ‘how to use’, ‘press coverage and awards’ and ‘customer reviews’. This product got an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ from Parent Testers and their children.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• Because it doubles as a shampoo and bodywash it saves me having to buy two different products making it cost effective
• My husband loved the smell and asked me to buy this one from now on. I have also tried it and I loved it as well!
• I also love the fact that the ingredients are so nourishing for young sensitive skin and there are absolutely no artificial or harmful ingredients.

Award:  Best of the Best

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Essential Care Gentle wash & shampoo

RRP: £9.50 for 200mls
Price per ml:  4.75p
Supplied and manufactured by  www.essential-care.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Essential Care’s founder Margaret Weeds has been creating skincare products for 30 years. In the beginning, Margaret did this to treat her family’s eczema. Margaret is still responsible for Essential Care’s unique product formulations and she takes great care to use only the highest quality, organic, pure, and ethically-sourced raw ingredients. This attention to detail is reflected in the quality of the information Essential Care provide online and on pack.
Testers praised this product’s lovely long-lasting fragrance. With its innovative pump dispenser Essential Care Gentle Wash and Shampoo is especially easy to use. The pump also prevents wastage. The quality of the ingredients– no artificial additives and a formula certified by the Soil Association -  makes this product an obvious choice for people who are concerned about the environment or for anyone with sensitive skin.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• It dispensed just the right amount and the smell was lovely
• It is expensive but worth it as it is so lovely
• Smells gorgeous and cleans well. This product has the ‘feel good’ factor!
  

Award:  Best Organic

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Organic Babies no-scent baby wash & shampoo

RRP: £6.75 for 150mls   
Price per ml: 4.5p
Supplied and manufactured by www.greenpeople.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

All products in the Organic Babies range are handmade in small batches using the most natural and organic ingredients. These products are suitable for vegetarians and certified by the Organic Food Federation.
Universally praised by Parent Testers, Organic Babies no scent baby wash and shampoo is easy to use, lathers well and is safe for even the most sensitive skin types. Manufactured by a company known for its ecological and ethical business credentials, this product is a worthy winner.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• It saves money and bathroom shelf space by being a multiple use product
• No complaints of stinging eyes and produces a good amount of toddler-pleasing bubbles
• Does the job as well as high street’ brands only this is not full of synthetic nasties which I think is important when choosing  products for babies and young children
  

Award:  Best eco-friendly

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Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash

RRP: £3.99 for 250mls
Price per ml: 1.59p
Supplied and manufactured by www.earthfriendlybaby.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Testers overwhelmingly praised this product for its ‘divine’ fragrance and ease of use. Its flip top lid closes with one click – this helps to avoidany accidental spills. Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash lathers exceptionally well, although it does not contain any harsh detergents. A little goes a long way so this product iss great value for money. This is why we have decided to award it Best budget.



This is what some of the Testers said:

• We have to be careful what we use on our son who suffers from eczema but this was fine.

• Fun  design and because it would be different from her baby brothers shampoo it was something just for her

• My husband also tried it and he liked it, especially the smell

Award:  Best budget

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Halos N Horns Zingy Orange hair & bodywash

RRP: £2.99 for 250mls  
Price per ml:  1.19p
Supplied and manufactured by www.halosnhorns.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Halos N Horns were the first baby product manufacturers to recommend not using manufactured skincare products for the first month of life – this information was provided on their website and with their products. This groundbreaking approach highlights Halos N Horns dedication to promote safe skincare based on the latest expert advice. The website offers quality information about skincare for babies and children. Parent Testers agreed Halos N Horns Zingy Orange hair and body wash helped to make bath time fun. They were reassured that it is safe to use and efficient at cleaning dirty children. It also has the added attraction of a delicious fruity smell. Testers said this product provides excellent value for money, which makes it ideal for people on a budget.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• It washed all the grime off without too much effort
• It’s great, does the job well and smells gorgeous
• It’s just lovely to use, nice texture that works well on babies skin – an all round winner

Award:  Highly commended

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• The product had a great feel and texture. The consistency was just right for a wash
• I thought I wouldn’t like it but it was the best one I trialled
• It was really easy to get a tiny amount out making it was ideal for me

Earth’s Best Lavender shampoo and bodywash
RRP: £5.49 for 250mls   
Price per ml:  2.19p
Supplied by www.kinetic4health.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Kinetic Natural Products Distributors was founded in the early 1990s by brothers Alexander and Kim. Earth’s Best Organic by JASON range is one of the many natural brands available on their website.
Testers and children alike were particularly fascinated by the push button pop-up lid - this can be opened with one hand. This prevents accidental spills and makes this reasonably priced product even more cost-effective. The product scored less because it is imported from the USA – this increases its carbon footprint for UK customers.
Testers praised the wonderful lavender scent – they said it was ‘pleasant’ but not overpowering. The wash foamed easily providing lots of lovely bubbles. These proved  gentle but effective for all age groups including parents!


This is what some of the Testers said:

• I tested this myself and it did the job well
• It left my sons hair whispey and soft with a lovely mild scent
• The unique flip-top lid, activated by the push button was very innovative
  

Award:  Highly commended

[back to top]

Sharon Trotter©2010

Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash

Essential Care Gentle wash & shampoo

Organic Babies no-scent baby wash & shampoo

Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash

Halos N Horns Zingy Orange hair & bodywash

Aromababy Pure Baby Wash

Earth’s Best Lavender shampoo and bodywash

[back to top]

TIPS-tested toothpastes

Follow one of the links below to find out more about the toothpastes we tested:

Best of the best - Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel
Best Organic - Organic Children mandarin toothpaste
Best Organic - Organic Children spearmint and aloe vera toothpaste
Highly commended - Halos N Horns toothy fruity toothpaste

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Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel

RRP: £2.95 for 50mls
Price per ml:  5.9p
Supplied and manufactured by www.weleda.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009


Testers looking for totally natural fluoride-free toothpaste were delighted with this toothpaste. Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel has a subtle minty taste. It contains gentle calendula and non-abrasive silica – this is ideal for milk teeth. It does not contain any detergents, bleaches, foam boosters, whiteners, artificial colours, flavours or synthetic additives. As Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel does not foam, there is no need for children to spit. This is especially important for babies, as they are unable to spit.  Should they swallow some of the tooth gel, this is completely harmless. Its bright orange colour made the product very attractive for children,  making them keen to brush their teeth. Testers were reassured by the eco-friendly credentials of this product, as well as its suitability for vegetarians and vegans.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• My son prefers the texture to normal toothpaste and I like the fact that it is 100% natural and sugar free
• The small tube is easy for children to hold on to so they can use it on their own
• I would prefer to use a toothpaste made from natural products because both my children tend to swallow toothpaste instead of spitting it out

Award:  Best of the Best

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Organic Children mandarin toothpaste

RRP: £3.30 for 50mls
Price per ml:  6.6p
Supplied and manufactured by www.greenpeople.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

The packaging of this product is cleverly designed to be informative and child-friendly. The two flavours in this range are sugar-free. Although the consistency is not too frothy, it coats the teeth well, leaving them clean and fresh. While the safety of fluoride in domestic water supplies is still subject to debate, it is great to have the option of using non-fluoride toothpastes for young children. Parents don’t have to worry about children swallowing too much product. A little goes a long way so Organic Children mandarin toothpaste is value for money.
This toothpaste contains organic mandarin, orange and myrrh with a lovely citrus scent. It does not contain from Fluoride, SLS, Triclosan, Sorbitol, Parabens, phthalates, artificial sweeteners, petrochemicals or colourants. Testers were reassured by the eco-friendly credentials of this product, and its suitability for vegetarians and vegans.

This is what some of the Testers said:

• My son preferred it to his normal toothpaste and I tried it myself. My teeth felt clean afterwards so I guess it is effective at cleaning
• The children loved it and got really excited using it
• My five year old prefers this one and says it is ‘perfect’.

Award:  Best organic 

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Organic Children spearmint and aloe vera toothpaste

RRP: £3.30 for 50mls
Price per ml:  6.6p
Supplied and manufactured by www.greenpeople.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Like its sister product, the mandarin toothpaste, this is a great alternative to regular toothpastes and ideal for children to use. It comes with the expertise of an excellent company who are dedicated to manufacturing safe and environmentally friendly products. It is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
The packaging of this product is cleverly designed to be informative and child-friendly. The two flavours in this range are sugar-free. Although the consistency is not too frothy, it coats the teeth well, leaving them clean and fresh. While the safety of fluoride in domestic water supplies is still subject to debate, it is great to have the option of using non-fluoride toothpastes for young children. Parents don’t have to worry about children swallowing too much product. A little goes a long way so Organic Children  spearmint and aloe vera toothpaste is value for money.
This toothpaste contains organic spearmint, peppermint and aloe vera with a subtle minty scent. It does not contain Fluoride, SLS, Triclosan, Sorbitol, Parabens, phthalates, artificial sweeteners, petrochemicals or colourants.

This is what some of the Testers said:

• I prefer toothpaste that is fluoride free while a child is learning to brush
• My daughter really likes it and it was easy for her to use
• Yes very good, I will think about purchasing this again

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Halos N Horns toothy fruity toothpaste

RRP: £2.29 for 75mls
Price per ml:  3.05p
Supplied and manufactured by www.halosnhorns.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Halos N Horns toothy fruity toothpaste’s great packaging is designed with children in mind. This product’s lovely fruity smell is not too overpowering, but it does make children keen to clean their teeth.  It is easy to dispense and mixes well with water to cover the teeth evenly. Unlike toothpastes containing foaming agents, this product does not froth up so children do not swallow as much of it. Although eco-friendly, this toothpaste does contain a small amount of fluoride. This means it can provide protection without using potentially harmful ingredients. Overall this toothpaste provides the perfect compromise which is why it deserves to be recognised.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• The kids loved the design and really wanted to use this toothpaste
• It didn’t foam up like other toothpastes so the kids did not end up messy which was great
• My daughter loved the taste and the colour so it lived up to her expectations!

Award:  Highly commended

[back to top]

Sharon Trotter©2010

Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel

Organic Children mandarin toothpaste

Organic Children spearmint and aloe vera

Halos N Horns toothy fruity toothpaste

[back to top]

TIPS-tested shampoos

Follow one of the links below to find out more about the shampoos we tested:

Best of the best - Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash

Best Organic - Essential Care Gentle wash & shampoo
Best eco-friendly - Organic Babies no-scent baby wash & shampoo
Best budget - Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash
Highly commended - Halos N Horns Mango Melon Shampoo/Conditioner

Highly commended - Halos N Horns Berry Burst Shampoo/detangler

Highly commended - Earth’s Best Lavender shampoo and bodywash

[back to top]

Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash

RRP: £6.95 for 200mls
Price per ml:  3.47p
Supplied and manufactured by www.weleda.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

All products in the Weleda range contain natural raw materials mostly grown organically or biodynamically – this growing method takes into account the seasons and the rhythms of the planets.
Parent Testers loved the thick and creamy consistency of this shampoo. It smells gorgeous, lathers well and leaves hair clean and shiny. Weleda provide excellent information on their website. This includes five sections for each product:  ‘about the product’,’ ingredients’, ‘how to use’, ‘press coverage and awards’ and ‘customer reviews’.
Testers agree this shampoo is ideal for all the family, especially for anyone with sensitive skin. This product proved to be cost-effective as it can be used both as a shampoo and as a bodywash and parents don’t have to buy two separate products  - this is an added bonus.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• My little girl loved it. It did not sting her eyes and she could not get enough of the stuff!
• If my daughter's skin was bad I would buy this for the calming calendula
• It smells fantastic and it can be used on hair and body so you don’t need two separate products

Award:  Best of the Best

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Essential Care Gentle wash & shampoo

RRP: £9.50 for 200mls
Price per ml:  4.75p
Supplied and manufactured by  www.essential-care.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Essential Care’s founder Margaret Weeds has been creating skincare products for 30 years. In the beginning, Margaret did this to treat her family’s eczema. Margaret is still responsible for Essential Care’s unique product formulations and she takes great care to use only the highest quality, organic, pure, and ethically-sourced raw ingredients. This attention to detail is reflected in the quality of the information Essential Care provide online and on pack.
Testers praised this product’s lovely long-lasting fragrance. With its innovative pump dispenser, Essential Care Gentle Wash and Shampoo is especially easy to use. The pump also prevents wastage. Testers praised this shampoo for being kind to eyes so there were no problems when their Little One’s hair was being rinsed. The quality of the ingredients– no artificial additives and a formula certified by the Soil Association -  makes this product an obvious choice for people who are concerned about the environment or for anyone with sensitive skin.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• It washes hair well and left the children’s skin feeling very soft and smooth after their bath
• It lathered easily, had a lovely smell and left hair soft and shiny
• I love every aspect of this shampoo!

Award:  Best Organic

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Organic Babies no-scent baby wash & shampoo

RRP: £6.75 for 150mls   
Price per ml: 4.5p
Supplied and manufactured by www.greenpeople.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

All products in the Organic Babies range are handmade in small batches using the most natural and organic ingredients. These products are suitable for vegetarians and certified by the Organic Food Federation.
Organic Babies No Scent Baby Wash and Shampoo is a wonderful product that is totally natural and free from harsh ingredients. It is easy to use, lathers well and leaves hair feeling silky smooth. Parent Testers loved the fact that this product can be used as a bubble bath, shampoo and bodywash. It worked especially well to detangle matted toddler hair – this saves having to use a conditioner. Children loved using this mild product which proved ideal for anyone who has sensitive skin or suffers of eczema.
Manufactured by a company known for its ecological and ethical business credentials, this product is a worthy winner.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• Great top to toe cleanliness even direct from a sponge or flannel. I would also use this as a face and hand wash for toddlers and young children
• The best shampoo I have found for very thick baby hair
• I particularly liked the clear labelling to tell you what was in the product

Award:  Best eco-friendly

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Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash

RRP: £3.99 for 250mls
Price per ml: 1.59p
Supplied and manufactured by www.earthfriendlybaby.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Earth Friendly Baby is committed to developing high quality products at a price that everyone can afford. Each product in this comprehensive range contains natural ingredients - these are plant-derived where possible and biodegradable. Earth Friendly Baby do not use artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, parabens or sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS or SLES). The shampoo and bodywash comes in Organic Chamomile, relaxing Organic Lavender and fresh Organic Mandarin.
Testers praised this product for its ‘absolutely lovely’ fragrance and ease of use. Its pop-up lid closes with one click – this helps to avoid any accidental spills. Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash lathers exceptionally well, although it does not contain any harsh detergents. A little goes a long way so this product is great value for money. This is why we have decided to award it Best budget.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• It left my son’s hair soft and shiny and it really highlights the blond in his hair
• Don’t change anything about this product as its perfect
• Smells gorgeous and it lasts. This product has the feel-good factor!

Award:  Best budget

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• My little boy likes using this shampoo as it does not sting his eyes so we get less fuss when his hair is washed
• My daughter liked using it herself which made bath times less stressful
• Her hair was left soft and easier to brush

• My daughter’s curly hair can be a nightmare to brush after shampooing and this product left it clean and detangled – very impressive!
• I would use this as it makes hair care for my daughter much easier due to her long hair
• I actually sent the baby bath and the baby shampoo to a friend in Brazil and she also loved it

Award:  Highly commended

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Earth’s Best Lavender shampoo and bodywash
RRP: £5.49 for 250mls   
Price per ml:  2.19p
Supplied by www.kinetic4health.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Kinetic Natural Products Distributors was founded in the early 1990s by brothers Alexander and Kim. Earth’s Best Organic by JASON range is one of the many natural brands available on their website.
Both Testers and children were particularly fascinated by the push button pop-up lid - this can be opened with one hand. This prevents accidental spills and makes this reasonably priced product even more cost-effective. The product scored less because it is imported from the USA – this increases its carbon footprint for UK customers.
Testers praised the lavender scent – they said it was ‘lovely and calming’ but not overpowering. The shampoo lathered easily leaving hair clean without being ‘squeaky dried out’ clean. This versatile product proved gentle but effective for all age groups, including parents!


This is what some of the Testers said:

• I really liked the smell and the boys hair was always lovely and shiny
• The lavender scent was calming and helped unwind the kids
• Although the bottle was easy to open for me, the baby couldn’t work it out so none got wasted when he got hold of it!

Award:  Highly commended

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Sharon Trotter©2010

Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash

Essential Care Gentle wash & shampoo

Organic Babies no-scent baby wash & shampoo

Earth Friendly Baby Lavender shampoo bodywash

Halos N Horns Mango Melon Shampoo/ Conditioner

Halos N Horns Berry Burst Shampoo/ detangler

Earth’s Best Lavender shampoo and bodywash

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TIPS-tested baby lotions

Follow one of the links below to find out more about the baby lotions we tested:

Best of the Best and Top product - Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion
Best budget - Earth Friendly Baby organic Chamomile baby lotion
Must-have - Weleda Baby Calendula weather protection Cream
Best Organic - Organic Babies No Scent Baby Lotion
Best eco-friendly - Baby Boo Organic Lavender baby lotion
Highly commended - Aromababy Pure Baby Moisture Lotion
Highly commended - Earth's Best Everyday lotion lavender

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Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion

RRP: £7.50 for 200mls
Price per ml:  3.75p
Supplied and manufactured by www.weleda.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

All products in the Weleda range contain natural raw materials mostly grown organically or biodynamically – this growing method takes into account the seasons and the rhythms of the planets. One Tester described the scent as ‘absolutely delicious’. All Testers praised the creamy consistency of this lotion, saying it was a pleasure to dispense with a little going a long way. Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion is non-greasy and goes on easily leaving beautifully soft silky skin. Even when used on skin affected by eczema it was soothing and caused no irritation. This product works perfectly as a moisturiser or a cleanser for the nappy area.

This is what some of the Testers said:

• The consistency is just right, not too thick and not too runny
• To be honest I had never heard of Weleda before so when I read the leaflet my initial feeling was it sounded like a really good brand – I have to say it did not disappoint at all.
• I would be happy to buy this for myself too and it is well worth the extra money

Award:  Best of the Best and Top product

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Earth Friendly Baby organic Chamomile baby lotion

RRP: £4.99 for 250mls
Price per ml:  1.99p
Supplied and manufactured by www.earthfriendlybaby.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Earth Friendly Baby is committed to developing high quality products at a price that everyone can afford. Each product in this comprehensive range contains natural ingredients - these are plant-derived where possible and biodegradable. Earth Friendly Baby do not use artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, parabens or sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS or SLES). The body lotions are ideal to use all over baby's body, and come in Organic Chamomile, relaxing Organic Lavender and fresh Organic Mandarin.
Testers praised the handy pump action lid which makes dispensing easy, although some suggested a ‘close-lock’ might be useful to avoid spills when travelling. Not only is this product reassuringly natural but the fragrance is fresh and calming. It absorbs easily into the skin leaving it soft and well moisturised. This was the best value baby lotion making it the obvious choice for our ‘Best budget’ award.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• This consistency was very smooth and absorbed into my baby’s skin very quickly without the need to rub it in
• Very easy to dispense, I liked the pop-up pump which keeps the lotion fresh
• It did not cause any reaction to my skin – I have dermatitis – it was also a pleasure to use on my baby

Award:  Best Budget

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Weleda Baby Calendula weather protection Cream

RRP:   £5.50 for 30mls 
Price per ml:  18.3p
Supplied and manufactured by www.weleda.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

This unique cream is not exactly a lotion or a nappy balm so it was difficult to know which category of products it should be tested with. In the end, we decided to test it with baby lotions. This is because Weleda Baby Calendula Weather Protection Cream provides a skin-friendly barrier protection which is especially useful in the winter months when chapped lips and wind-swept faces are all too common.
The 100% natural formulation is based on sweet almond oil, hypoallergenic lanolin and beeswax, with the trademark scent of calendula flower. This product is obviously useful for chapped hands and lips, but Testers found many other uses for this innovative rescue remedy, including sore noses and weather damaged cheeks. Parents d suggested this would be great for winter trips and outdoor activities. In fact so handy was this product that Testers voted it a ‘Must-have’ award.

This is what some of the Testers said:

• This little tube was full of magic – what a lovely product!
• It sinks into your skin beautifully leaving you feeling like there is a barrier but without looking greasy or shiny
• Value for money as a tiny amount goes a long way

Award:  Must-have

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Organic Babies No Scent Baby Lotion

RRP: £9.25 for 150mls
Price per ml:  6.16p
Supplied and manufactured by www.greenpeople.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

All products in the Organic Babies range are handmade in small batches using the most natural and organic ingredients. They are suitable for vegetarians and certified by the Organic Food Federation. Testers were impressed by the eco-friendly and ethical credentials of this company, including their policy to donate 10% of their profits to ‘green’ issues.
This organic moisturiser was thick and creamy to the touch, but light enough to apply easily and absorb well. It seemed to help soothe dry skin with one Tester commenting that it was also a ‘fantastic facial moisturiser’. Although one of the more expensive lotions, Testers agreed that a little really does go a long way, making this particular lotion cost-effective.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• It cleared up my daughter’s horrible bumpy skin!
• I like that I have to use very little for it to be effective and the fact that it did not leave skin feeling greasy or sticky
• The instant moisturisation I felt on both my own and my son's skin

Award:  Best Organic

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• I really liked the texture and consistency of this product. It was a rich moisturising cream, not too think but absorbed well
• I was pleasantly surprised, it had a much nicer smell than I had expected
• Its eco-friendly and ethical credentials are a big plus; I would buy this again in the future.

• The white graphics illustrates the pureness of the product and I love the traditional image on the tube
• We used it on the entire family, it helped my sons dry patches, I used it on my hands and my husband used it on his psoriasis and thinks it is wonderful!
• I love the fact that it is made using certified organic ingredients

• For a lotion this had an excellent ability to moisturise
• The graphics were 1950s American style which I liked but some might find too retro
• I would buy it, as the name suggests; as an ‘Everyday Lotion

Sharon Trotter©2010

Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion

Earth Friendly Baby organic Chamomile baby lotion

Weleda Baby Calendula weather protection Cream

Organic Babies No Scent Baby Lotion

Baby Boo Organic Lavender baby lotion

Aromababy Pure Baby Moisture Lotiony

Earth's Best Everyday lotion lavender

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TIPS-tested baby oils

Follow one of the links below to find out more about the baby oils we tested:

Best of the best - Weleda Baby Calendula Oil
Best eco-friendly - MamaBabyBliss Hugs Natural unscented massage oil
Best Organic - beginning cocooning massage oil

Highly commended - Earth Friendly Baby Natural unscented massage oil
Highly commended - Baby Boo Massage oil for babies
Highly commended - Aromababy Mother & Child Massage oil

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Weleda Baby Baby Calendula Oil

RRP: RRP: £8.50 for 200mls
Price per ml:  4.25p
Supplied and manufactured by www.weleda.co.uk
Tested October – December 2009

Testers loved this oil. They said it was so easy to dispense, even one drop at a time, that there was no wastage. The scent was described as ‘delicious’. This oil absorbed effortlessly leaving skin silky soft. Based on sweet almond oil with added essential oils of calendula and chamomile, this lovely product is non-greasy. It offers great value for money. All products in the Weleda range contain natural raw materials mostly grown organically or biodynamically – this growing method takes into account the seasons and the rhythms of the planets. This oil is ideal for baby massage but Testers also found this useful to treat dry skin patches, cradle cap, nappy rash. It could also be used for massaging into your pregnant tummy.


This is what some of the Testers said:

• This really locks in moisture on my son’s skin which is prone to getting dry. It suits sensitive skin and has never caused any irritation
• The contours on the bottle give your hand something to grip
• My baby had a very bad case of nappy rash which no creams seemed to help but a soothing bath with the Weleda oil added really did help.

Award:  Best of the Best

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• This oil left my baby’s skin glowing and soft to the touch
• The scent was subtle which is ideal
• I have already recommended it to my sister-in-law who is using it on my niece.

beginning cocooning massage oil

RRP:  £15 for 100mls  
Price per ml:  15p
Supplied and manufactured by  www.maclarenbaby.com
Tested October – December 2009

This oil is part of a new range of mother and baby skincare products from the Maclaren brand. Maclaren have worked with an expert in aromatherapy to develop products using organic-based formulations with added essential oils. This oil contains sunflower, olive, lavender, mandarin and geranium oils. One Tester described its scent as ‘absolutely gorgeous’. Some testers felt the oil was a bit expensive. Others suggested adding a dropper dispenser to avoid wastage -this would make using this oil more cost-effective.
Most Testers had not heard about this range of baby skincare products. They were pleasantly surprised by the high quality ingredients and the stylish design of the range.

This is what some of the Testers said:

• I am not usually swayed by packaging but this was the prettiest packaging on a baby skin care product I have seen.
• The consistency was lovely – oily but soaks in nicely and leaves the skin feeling soft
• I have also used some oil on my bump and I really like it

Award:  Best Organic

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• Baby orientated design which appeals to my little one when I use it
• Very friendly text which is casually written with a bit of humour – I really liked the website
• I will recommend this to  my sister who is expecting so she can do baby massage

Award:  Highly commended

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• After reading about the company I think their ethics are great
• It is very effective, smooth and easy to rub in
• My hands felt lovely and soft after massaging my baby

• The oil is light, non-greasy and easily absorbed
• My son loved it and I also used it on myself – I am thinking I will keep the rest just for me!
• The pump action was essential and I have fallen in love with the smell

Sharon Trotter©2010

Weleda Baby Calendula oil

MamaBabyBliss Hugs Natural unscented massage oil

beginning cocooning massage oil

Earth Friendly Baby Natural unscented massage oil

Baby Boo Massage oil for babies

Aromababy Mother & Child Massage oil

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TIPS tested baby baths

• Just gorgeous – I loved using it myself
• Easy to hold because the bottle has finger grips
• It created a lovely scent in the bathroom and effectively cleansed my children

• It lathered well and the scent is yummy
• Very reasonable price for a natural product
• I like the ethos of the company

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• Very easy to dispense with no leakage
• The kids love it, it’s not too expensive and doesn’t contain nasties
• I don’t use anything to wash the kids but as a treat and for pen marks it is great!

• The scent is lovely and so relaxing
• My baby seemed to settle great after I used it!
• The packaging is very attractive

Weleda Baby Calendula Cream Bath

Earth Friendly Baby Organic Mandarin Bubble Bath

Halos N Horns Baby Bath

MamaBabyBliss Splash Baby Bath Wash

TIPS-tested baby skincare products 2010

We have tested nearly 50 baby skincare products for you. 48 TIPS awards (including 2 special awards) were allocated after this trial. Follow the links below to find out more about:

Nappy cream or balm (11 products get awards)
Baby bath (4 products get awards)
Baby wash (7 products get awards)
Baby oil (6 products get awards)
Baby lotion (7 products get awards)
Children’s shampoo (7 products get awards)
Children’s toothpaste (4 products get awards) 

TIPS special awards (Top Product and Top Brand)

TIPS to go - get a list of TIPS-tested baby skincare products and awards

TIPS Top Product - Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion

www.weleda.co.uk

RRP: £7.50 for 200mls Price per ml:  3.75p

This was easy to award. It goes to the top scoring baby skincare product out of 530 samples tested. Congratulations to Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion. This excellent product is non-greasy and goes on easily, leaving beautifully soft silky skin. Even when used on skin affected by eczema it was soothing and caused no irritation. Weleda Baby Calendula Lotion works perfectly as a moisturiser or a cleanser for the nappy area.

Award:  Best of the Best Lotion and TIPS Top Product

TIPS Top Brand - Weleda (UK) Ltd

www.weleda.co.uk

Allocating this award was a little more tricky. This involved lots of maths to add up the final scores for each brand before dividing the totals by the number of samples submitted. Comments from Parent Testers were also taken into consideration and congratulations go to the Weleda baby range as the overall winner. This is a beautifully presented range of products manufactured using only the finest ingredients. A company with excellent eco-friendly credentials, Weleda is committed to restoring health and maintaining wellbeing naturally, ethically, safely and without animal experimentation. All Weleda products come with excellent information leaflets. Comprehensive advice about pregnancy, birth and baby skincare is available on Weleda’s recently updated website.

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• Introduction
• Overview
• Methodology and criteria
• Guidelines
• Completing the questionnaire
• Conclusion
• References
  

Introduction

Only products that comply with our strict criteria can be submitted for a TIPS trial – this is part of the TIPS robust selection process explained in the ‘Methodology and criteria’ section below. This means that any product we approve for testing is already a winner.
When selected for a trial, volunteer Parent Testers receive products to test and are asked to provide their comments using a detailed questionnaire. Testers’ feedback is collated, evaluated and reviewed by Sharon Trotter.

On completion of the judging process, awards are confirmed and the results are published on the TIPS website.

Please note that products tested by TIPS are not free or promotional products, but samples for the sole purpose of independent testing.  Only Testers who have agreed and signed a copy of the TIPS Award Scheme terms and conditions can take part in a TIPS trial.

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Overview:

At TIPS, we aim to source the best products available. This is the second TIPS trial of baby skincare products. Many products previously trialled in 2007 have won awards again.
This trial is the largest carried out by TIPS independent parent testers to date. Over £4,000 worth of products sent out to hundreds of Testers, who completed and returned detailed questionnaires. 15 manufacturers kindly supplied 530 samples – for 53 products (this includes the belly balm samples - this trial was carried out at the same time). We received 408 completed questionnaires, this represents a 77 percent return rate. I would like to say a special thank you to our team of dedicated Parent Testers whose comments and detailed feedback allow the TIPS testing programme to achieve a level of independence and impartiality that is second to none. I hope this process provides parents with a list of products that are safe to use and promote using only plain water for the first month of life.

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Methodology and criteria

Apart from nappy creams (which can be used from birth) products were only tested with babies over six months of age. Carefully assessed baby skincare products were selected for this trial. Testing took place during the winter of 2009-10.

The TIPS criteria states that TIPS will only test skincare products that do not contain:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
• Sodium Laureth Sulphate SLES)
• Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben)
• Phthalates
• Triclosan
• Propylene Glycol (PG)
• DEA (diethanolamine)
• MEA (monoethanolamine)
• TEA (triethanolamine), or
• Methylchloroisothiazolonone (MIT) or Methylisothiazolinone (MIT).

The formulation score given to each product we test takes into account artificial preservatives or perfumes that may irritate the skin.

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Award criteria:

• Best of the best - highest scoring product overall
• Best organic - products certified organic in origin and made to the highest possible standards
• Best eco-friendly - products manufactured by companies that: include high proportions of natural or organic ingredients in their formulation; ensure that their packaging is recyclable; and have an ethical approach to business that attempts to reduce their overall
  
• Must have - products that have been voted by Testers as being particularly useful.
  
• Highly commended - products with high scores but not best in their category
• Special awards - Top Brand and Top Product

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Guidelines: what the Testers were asked to do

Please read the following information before you start testing

Thank you for agreeing to take part in the 2010 TIPS Baby skincare trials.
I am often asked which skincare products I would recommend. It is not my role to endorse a particular brand so I decided to set up the TIPS trials. It is hoped that this fair and neutral review process will be acknowledged for its independence and impartiality. The TIPS Awards Testing Scheme was launched in March 2007. Baby skincare products were one of our first standard trials to be completed which remains our most popular results page.
The products selection criteria were strict: products containing alcohol, SLS, SLES, triclosan, propylene glycol, artificial perfumes or preservatives (parabens and phthalates) were excluded. The selection criteria are stricter each year (see Appendix 1). This is to make sure that only the very best skincare products are accepted for submission.
Please remember that there are no standards or definitions to regulate the use of terms such as hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin, paediatrician approved and pH balanced. The basic ingredients used in the manufacture of these products are the same as for standard formulations. The only difference is in the marketing literature. This is why the TIPS criteria is so important: we only test products that meet our strict guidelines on safety.

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Completing the questionnaire

Pre-filled answers
For each skincare product we have checked:

• the formulation
• recyclability of packaging
• where a product is made (manufacturing in the UK reduces a company’s carbon footprint).

Answers to questions on these topics are pre-filled in your questionnaire.

You will have to answer questions on the following topics:

• Design of product – did you enjoy the graphics?
• Information on product and online: does the manufacturer include a full list of ingredients online and on pack? Does the manufacturer give advice on using water-only for the first month in their marketing literature?
• Scent: does the product smell fresh or is it unpleasant? In order to be safe products should have minimal perfumes (preferably natural or organic in origin).
• Ease of use: is the product easy to dispense, easy to apply and easy to reseal? Does it absorb into the skin without any stickiness or leaving any residue behind?
• Effectiveness: do the products clean your baby’s skin or provide the protection you would Price: by calculating the RRP of each product then dividing it by the volume we get a cost per ml or per gm (depending on whether the product is a liquid or a solid). This provides a good idea of cost-effectiveness although a little can go a long way so price may not be as important as you think.
• Adverse reactions: did you notice any adverse reactions when using this product (this may include rashes, spots or red areas caused by the product you are testing).
• Feedback: tell us about your favourite features, suggestions for modifications, and whether you would recommend or buy this product
• Awards: you will be able to suggest an award from our recommended list

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many aspects of design and formulation to assess when testing any skincare product. A well-designed baby skincare product should:

• come with a full list all ingredients and ideally an explanation of why these ingredients have been used (this information should be on-pack and online)
• provide consumers with the latest advice
• be safe and gentle, even on delicate skin
• not contain harsh ingredients or unnecessary additives
• be made from bio-degradable materials, and
• be sold in recyclable packaging.

This can only be achieved when manufacturers pay close attention to detail at all stages of the manufacturing process.

I hope you will find these guidelines useful when testing these baby skincare products.
Thank you again for all your hard work. You can be sure that your independent testing and comments will help to give parents the best and most unbiased advice available.


Kindest regards
Sharon Trotter - Founder and Director of TIPS Ltd
sharontrotter@tipslimited.com

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References:

Trotter S (2008). Neonatal skincare and cordcare – implications for practice. In: Examination of the newborn and neonatal health – a multidimentional approach. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier Worldwide, Chapter14.
Trotter S (2009). Baby care – back to basics™ leaflet. TIPS Limited, Scotland
Trotter S (2010). Neonatal skincare. In: Care of the Newborn by Ten Teachers. Hodder Education, Health Sciences, Chapter 7.

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find out about TIPS special awards

find out about TIPS tested nappy creams

find out about TIPS tested baby baths

find out about TIPS tested baby washes

find out about TIPS tested baby oils

find out about TIPS tested baby lotions

find out about TIPS tested children shampoos

find out about TIPS tested children toothpastes