The website of The Belsize Village Association - KEEP IT LOCAL
As as new father (of Thomas) I have done a huge amount of research into what is good and bad for my child and what products are worth having.
This page will point you towards things Andrea and Tom and I have tried and tested and can recommend. All opinions on this site are independent and nothing on this site is influenced by advertising or comission. We have personally tested and often purchased everything we recommend.
DRAFT PAGE AS OF 29/7/09
Pop Up Pegs by Galt Toys £7.99
Tom's favourite new toy. Eat the pegs, roll the pegs, put them in
the wrong hole and finally learn to pop them! Still not got the colour matching though. Lovely wooden cosntruction and no batteries!
BABY BOTTLES. Most plastic bottles are loaded with chemicals
This is what the BBC said - HERE
Most major baby bottle manufacturers use the chemical Bisphenol-A in their production. Most also have PVCs and Phthalates. These are all nasty chemicals that can leach into milk, especially when the botte is heated.
Born Free Baby Bottles - Highly Recommended
I did the research and found BornFree bottles, that are made from a safe honey-colored plastic called Polymer (PES) and free of Bisphenol-A, PVCs and Phthalates. They are easy to use and clean and Tom likes the teats.
Their glass bottles and drinking cups are also pretty good.
AVAILABLE FROM - Amazon - Born-Free - Toy R Us - Babies R Us
THE BEST BREAST PUMP. Medela Swing Breast Pump
Trust a man to research this properly. Swiss made and excellently engineered, Medela pumps just work, quietly comfortably and well. The longer a baby drinks breast milk, the better their general health and immune system. Using a pump can extend this period.
TIP: Don't waste time on manual pumps, get this and be done with it!
AVAILABLE FROM - Amazon - John Lewis
THE BEST BABY COTS - STOKKE SLEEPI
Not just a cot, but a system for life, SLEEPI goes from a baby crib to a cot, to a child bed to a pair of teenage chairs. Expensive but tremendous long-term value.
AVAILABLE FROM - Back In Action
a great website and a store near Trafalgar Square
THE CREDIT CRUNCH BABY COT - IKEA GULLIVER
We bought this first for £65, well made and a great starter cot. But the side does not come down for older babies, adjustement is limited and we wish we had spent money on the SLEEPI to start with.
TIP: AVOID the similar looking, but cheaper SNIGLaR. It's not nice.
AVAILABLE FROM - IKEA
THE BEST BABY BUGGY - STOKKE XPLORY
Don't be a fashion victim, just because Gwyneth uses Bugaboo does not mean it's any good.
If you are serious parent, there is only one buggy and that's the STOKKE XPLORY. There are multiple reasons, but the key one is that baby starts life high up and facing you, in communication and well above car exhaust level.
Additionally, the XPLORY is so flexible that it will last as puschair until at least 4 years old and then has excellent resale value on eBay, so the cost is not really that high.
We find ours easy to wheel and comfortable for Tom
TIP: Don't buy the expensive cot, as it will be come redundant quickly. The basic seat when reclined is fine for a sleeping baby.
TIP: accepts adapters for Maxi Cosi Cabrio car seat
AVAILABLE FROM - Back In Action
a great website and a store near Trafalgar Square
THE BEST TRAVEL BUGGY - QUINNY ZAPP
A full size buggy for 6 months and over, that folds up like an umbrella. we use ours for travelling, flights and the like, when the STOKKE may be too big. Not the best for sleeping babies as a bit upright.
TIP: accepts adapters for Maxi Cosi Cabrio car seat
AVAILABLE FROM - Amazon - Bambino Direct
THE BEST HIGH CHAIR - STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP
I don't work for STOKKE and I'm not on commission, it's just that their products are a head and shoulders above everything else on the market.
The TRIPP TRAPP goes from a high-chair at 6 months to an adult chair in one product, looks great and is pretty affordable.
AVAILABLE FROM - Back In Action - John Lewis
a great website and a store near Trafalgar Square
THE CREDIT CRUNCH HIGH CHAIR - IKEA ANTILOP
Under £10 - complete, sturdy and easy to use. Buy one for every baby
AVAILABLE FROM - IKEA
TOYS - to come
LOCAL TOY SHOPS
MAMAS AND PAPAS
BORN FREE BOTLLES
THE BEST BABY MONITOR
BT 150 Digital Baby Monitor
I deal in elecronics so I checked everything on the market. This is affordable at £65 ish, works very well, doesn't crackle and has a lot of useful features including room temp and talk back. It's way better than anything from Tomy, Fisher Price etc and looks rather smart
BUY FROM- Amazon - Argos - John Lewis
BEST BABY FOODS
- Aptimil
- Plum Organic
- Hipp (Thomas hates)
- NOT Farleys Rusks
BEST TOYS
- To come from Brio, Galt and more
- NOT Fisher Price (-:
- NOT anything with batteries
BEST ECO CLEANING PRODUCTS
A NON TOXIC HOUSE - more to come
- Throw away ALL your cleaning products
- most are carcinogenic and very nasty!
- Replace with Ecover and E-Cloths
- Much safer for children
- Much safer for parents
Ecover products are safer and Eco friendly
- See Ecover products -here
E-cloths use NO chemicals at all
- E-cloth complete kit - here
BEST ECO BABY PRODUCTS
- A NON TOXIC BABY
- Nearly all products are chemically nasty
- Replace with Neals Yard Baby
- Baby Lotion - Baby Wash
- More TBA
BEST BABY MEDICAL PRODUCTS
- thermometers etc
Lindam Easy Fit Plus Safety Gate
Great gate at a great price, less than £20. We bought two and they do the temporary job very well and are easy to fit and use.