Maclaren Statement 9/12/2009

Maclaren is committed to the safety of children. This is our singular mission and why we are recognized by authorities such as the BPA and UK Trading Standards for manufacturing safe products which meet or exceed rigorous standards for Nursery Products.

We cannot comment on specific claims being investigated due to legal considerations, however, any reported incidents are immediately addressed by Maclaren with the utmost care.

Maclaren recognises parents concerns and these fears are completely understandable. Maclaren has taken a proactive approach to ensure the safe operation of its products, both through the increased awareness of the potential for injury with all folding children’s products and the distribution of hinge covers as an extra measure of protection for Maclaren buggies. The feedback from parents around the world has affirmed Maclaren’s actions provide extra peace of mind.

Parents expect a Maclaren buggy to be of the highest quality and safe for use. Our long safety record in use when the child is properly fastened in the buggy is why we are one of the most trusted names with parents around the world.

We invite parents with any questions or concerns to contact Maclaren directly through our Customer Service Team on 01327 841320 or our website www.maclarenbaby.com

Please see below for a demonstration showing how to fit the hinge covers correctly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR46uNouAjk

Maclaren customers can continue to obtain hinge covers by ordering online at http://covers.maclaren.co.uk/ or contacting the customer services team on 01327 841320

Christmas Deal of the Day for 11th December!

Babies are so hard to buy for at Christmas. They are too young to understand what is going on but you feel that you should give them something. What about a Whoozit? Babies love these brightly coloured toys. And today, for one day only, we have 10% of RRP. So hurry and get one in time for Christmas.

Christmas Deal of the Day for 10th December!

Does baby want to join in the festivities around the Christmas dinner table too? Here's a quick and simple way to prepare baby's food without yours going cold! Simply put small bits of yummy turkey, sprouts and carrots in the bowl, squeeze the handles and feed straight from the bowl with the spoon included. Nothing could be simpler! So have a stress-free Christmas dinner with the Wean Machine. This special offer is available on-line for 1 day only so don't delay. Get a Wean Machine now for only £14.99 (save £5.00 off RRP). Stocks are limited and once they are gone this offer won't be repeated!

Christmas Deal of the Day for 9th December!

Our fantastic Christmas offer today is the Hob Nob Rocking Horse at £84.95 (save 10% off RRP). This cheeky little chappie is the perfect present for any budding jockey. Suitable from 12 months. But hurry, there is only limited stock left and once they are gone this price won't be repeated!

Christmas Deal of the Day for 8th December!

Going away over Christmas? Where will your little one sleep? This travel cot is packed in a light carrying bag handy for storage and travel. It has lockable wheels for ease of mobility. Quick and simple to fold and with easy to clean material and mattress base, the travel cot comes in dark blue with silver trim. And it is great value too! Now only £44.99 (save 10% off RRP). But hurry, this offer won't be available for long!

Christmas Deal of the Day!

Father Christmas book by Raymond Briggs now only £4.99 (save £2.00 off RRP). Winner of the Kate Greenawy Medal, this classic picture book has been treasured by generations for more than 30 years. Raymond Brigg's irreverent look at Christmas is one of his best loved picture books. If you order on-line and drop us an email to let us know that you are a Facebook, Twitter or blogg fan we will refund your postage too!

Festive Fun in Tewkesbury

Looking for a fun festive day out? Come to Tewkesbury on Sunday 29th November. Something for everyone - Farmers Market, carol singers, stilt walker, fire eater, live music, fairground rides, a christmas post box and Santa will be switching on the lights at 4.30pm. There is free parking on the day and lots of shops & restaurant are open too. The fun kicks off around mid-day and goes on until 6pm.

Party Shoes Time!

With the party season nearly upon us take a look at the gorgeous hop n squeak shoes. Available in sizes 3-7 in red or black and priced at £19.99 they are guaranteed to look fabulous with that party dress

Latest up-date from Maclaren

Maclaren has reviewed their situation in the UK following hundreds of calls to their UK call centre from worried customers. They are now offering customers free hinge covers through their Customer Services centre. See full details in Maclaren's statement:

MACLAREN STATEMENT

Following a great deal of debate and comment in the UK over recent days concerning Maclaren buggies, with particular regard to the exposed side hinges which facilitate the opening and folding the buggy, Maclaren Europe Limited wishes to clarify its position.

Most importantly we wish to reiterate that the safety of our consumers – parents and children – is our primary objective. We would never compromise this and we take all consumer feedback very seriously, both in the design of our products and in supplying clear and unequivocal user instructions.

To this end all of our products are extensively tested prior to launch, including user testing. They also comply with the highest quality and regulatory standards.

We are therefore confident that used according to instructions, as with any mechanical products, all of our buggies are safe, and Mums should continue to use them with confidence.

Dylan Johnson, General Manager of Maclaren UK said ‘Most of the people at Maclaren are parents themselves and understand that our children come first. That’s why we ensure that our products meet and often exceed the EU and US product safety and quality standards.
‘In the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of customers at our call centre and we have been able to reassure them about the quality and safety of our products. Most parents understand that they have to be vigilant when operating mechanical products around children, similar to the care they show when securing children in cars or protecting them around the home. We stress that our buggies are completely safe and fully compliant but if parents remain concerned or worried, we urge them to talk to us.
‘I appreciate completely the concerns this issue has raised with the UK public and our objective is and has always been to reassure parents.’ Maclaren customers who would like further reassurance can;

- Get advice on operating their buggies by contacting our customer services team on 01327 841320
- Obtain hinge covers , which can be used to cover the folding mechanism, free of charge through Customer Services by emailing us at advice@maclaren.co.uk or by calling us
- Download user instructions for all models online from wwww.maclarenbaby.com
- Follow the user instructions and warning labels on their buggies

Maclaren recall of US buggies

It's with interest that I watched the news this morning - as a retailer of Maclaren buggies we need to know what's going on. It appears that following 12 cases of children's fingertip amputation after trapping in the folding mechanism of their buggy, Maclaren are issuing all one million buggies sold in the USA with a fabric guard to prevent this happening.

Reading between the lines it seems that these accidents occurred whilst the parent was folding the buggy and NOT when the child was in it. Every parent however diligent, must recognise that there is a possibility of children getting hurt when inquisitive fingers are poked where they shouldn't be.

I think it's prudent of Maclaren to issue the guard, but cannot help but wonder about two things. One, is that is took 12 reported injury cases for them to act, and secondly why is this not happening in the UK? If it can endanger US children then surely it must be a potential threat for UK children? I feel that pressure from UK parents will mean that a UK recall will follow shortly.

This should not put you off buying a Maclaren buggy, just make you more aware of the risks. Maclaren are a reliable brand - it's not for nothing that they give each buggy a guarantee for the lifetime of the buggy. If you own a buggy that isn't Maclaren then give the same care of thought when folding it down - I'm sure that it isn't only Maclaren that poses this danger.

Celebrity Baby Names

Whilst Kai Wayne Rooney is a bit unusual, it has nothing on these celebrity babies:

Romeo, Cruz & Brooklyn Beckham

Peaches and Pixie Geldof

Apple Paltrow

Zowie Bowie

Princess Tiiamii (daughter of Jordan and Peter Andre)

Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q Hewson ( Bono & Alison Hewson)

Prince Michael Jackson II aka Blanket

Dweezil, Moon Unit & Diva Muffin (Frank Zappa)

Sage Moonblood Stallone (Sylvester Stallone)

Bluebell Madonna (Geri Halliwell)

Makes me breathe a sigh of relief that I'm plain old Lisa Jones!!

Little Monsters baby Show

Sunday 15th November at Cheltenham Town Hall from 10.00 until 4.00pm.

Over 50 exhibitors of everything you need for pregnancy, babies and toddlers.

New Beginnings will be exhibiting - hope to see you there!

Child Car Seats - What does the law say?

The present legislation on child car seats is as follows:

• Under 3 years old - A child car seat is mandatory but may not be placed on a seat with a frontal airbag. If the vehicle does not have seat belts fitted, the child may not be transproted in that vehicle
• 3 years to 12 years or less than 1.35 metres tall - A child seat is mandatory in all vehicles fitted with seat belts. If the vehicle does not have seat belts, the child may be transported on the backseat
• Over 1.35 metres tall or over 12 years old - Use of a seat belt is mandatory, if present in the car.

These obligations apply in all European member states.

Why do we have Pumpkins at Halloween Mum?

I was a bit stumped for an answer but luckily Netmums were able to help me out:

The carved pumpkin - or Jack o'Lantern - is the most obvious symbol of Halloween and originates in Ireland. Its popularity spread with the first Irish immigrants to America who where able to use the widely available pumpkins to carve lanterns from. The tradition is based on the ancient Irish legend of Jack, a notorious ill-doer who turned against God and tricked Satan, thus being denied entry to both Heaven and Hell. Instead he had to stumble through eternal darkness with just a single ember glowing in his lantern to help him along the way.

So now you know!

Pumpkin Ideas

With Halloween just around the corner parents will be busy carving out pumpkins for the little ones to enjoy. Don't forget though that pumpkins are for eating too.

They are an ideal weaning food as they can be boiled and mashed. The easiest way to cook pumpkins are to halve them, scoop out the seeds and then chop into pieces and then either boil, roast or microwave. The skins are much easier to remove after they have been cooked. Some tasty ways to cook are:

Mashed Pumpkin Cook cubes of squash in a microwave with a couple of cloves of garlic, and mash with butter and a bit of cream . You can combine with carrots for a colorful and tasty mash.- very nice with fish, steak, chicken or sausages.

Roasted Pumpkin Leave skin on and cut up as you would for potatoes, add a crushed clove of garlic, drizzle with olive oil. Cook as you would for roast potatoes but won't take as long.

Pumpkin or Squash Risotto. Steam or microwave chunks of pumpkin until soft. Cook some chopped onion and garlic in a little olive oil until soft. Add 150g of risotto rice and gradually add 3/4 - 1 litre of liquid (chicken stock, veg stock etc) stirring frequently until all the liquid has been absorbed. Mash the butternut squash and mix into the risotto. Add some bacon for a really tasty dish.

Pumpkin Soup. You can use butternut squash too for this recipe as it's sweet and therefore popular with children. Fry a finely chopped onion and a finely chopped clove of garlic in a small amount of olive oil. De-seed the squash with a large dessert / soup spoon. Peel and chop it into cubes.
Add the butternut squash cubes to the frying pan, add a teaspoon of turmeric (optional) and saute for a further 5 minutes. Season with black pepper. Add a litre of stock and simmer for half an hour. Puree in a blender.

Have fun this halloween!

Tips for Weaning

Since most babies are born with a sweet tooth (breast milk is naturally sweet), you should have no trouble in getting your baby to enjoy eating fruit. Fruit that is fully ripe is naturally sweet. Most fruits provide vitamin C and minerals and the yellow fruits contain vitamin A. At first a baby should have cooked purees of fruit like apples and pears or uncooked mashed banana, gradually introducing other mashed fruits.

The Wean Machine is a great little gadget to help prepare fresh baby food with no mess and no fuss. It can be used at home or on the go, so you always know what is going in your baby's food. Simply fill the bowl with the food, squeeze the handle to puree to the desired consistency and spoon feed your baby straight from the bowl.

Kiwi & Banana

Kiwi fruit are very good for your baby as they have more vitamin C than an orange! Make sure you choose a very ripe fruit, otherwise it can be sour.

Makes 1 portion

1/4 ripe kiwi, peeled

1/4 ripe banana peeled

Puree the kiwi and strain through a fine sieve to get rid of the black seeds. Mash or puree banana and mix with kiwi. Eat straight away or banana goes brown.

Courgette and Banana Puree

This may seem a strange combination but they complement each other well.

Makes 2 portions

1 small courgette, trimmed and sliced

1/2 small banana, peeled and sliced

Steam the courgette slices for approx 8 minutes and then puree with banana.

Avocado, Banana & Yoghurt

This was my favourite! Serve with or without the yoghurt and eat straight away before the banana turns brown.

Makes 1 portion

2 slices avocado

1/2 small banana, peeled

1 tablespoon natural Greet yoghurt

Scoop the flesh of the avocado from the skin and mash it with the rest of the ingredients. Yum!

Why not share some of your recipes with us. We would love to hear what has been successful for you.

Tewkesbury Mop Fair

The annual Mop Fair will be in Tewkesbury on Friday 9th October and Saturday 10th October. Bring the kids along - they will have a great time. Why not come early and have a look around the lovely town of Tewkesbury too - some great independent shops, yummy tea rooms, the river and not forgetting our spectacular Abbey!

Brand launch for Tewkesbury

After a lot of hard work by the working party, the launch of the Tewkesbury brand is taking place in the Town Hall. It can be viewed Thursday evening between 5.00 sand 8.00pm and all day Friday or Saturday. Why not pop along to see the brand and give your ideas how it can be used. We think its great and really support all the work Tewkesbury Chamber of Commerce (and especially the working party) have put into getting it this far.

Hop n Squeak Shoes have arrived

Take a look at thse fab shoes! Fun and practical and absolutely gorgeous to look at too. We are now stocking Hop n Squeak shoes in sizes 3 to 7. They have inbuilt squeak to make walking fun (can be easily removed though!).

Buggy Brolly's Back in stock

Back to the school run next week and you can bet it will rain. We stocked the Buggy Brolly last year and they were a huge hit and we now have them back in stock. The idea is so simple it's amazing that nobody has done it before - a brolly that attaches to your buggy to keep you dry and your hands free.

They come in a range of 5 colours and cost £21.99. See our website for more details.

Steadyco range has arrived!

We're really pleased to anounce that we are now stocking the award winning Steadyco feeding range. The steady cup features a large base to make it harder to be knocked over, small handles which are perfect for childrens hands, and a wide mouth to the cup to help the children drink without spilling.

All the products feature the following:

Unique drainage system to ensure thorough cleaning and drying
Unique steady design to avoid spills and boost self confidence and social development
Designed for 12 months+
Stackable
Fully recyclable and made from non-toxic plastics Dishwasher, microwave* and freezer safe
*not including the Cutlery Set because it contains metal

The prices are great value too - we especially like the 4 piece breakfast set which costs just £7.99.

For more information have a look at our website.

Little Monster Baby Show 15th November

We are pleased to confirm that we will be exhibiting at this event at Cheltenham Town hall on the 15th November.

Yummy Mummy Bags - how far can they go??

Yummy Mummy Bags spotted in Perranporth Cornwall (carried by my daughter!).

Why use reusable nappies

We are constantly being told that we should reduce waste but do reusable nappies help? The answer is yes! There are lots of benefits to using reusable nappies:

• the average child has its nappy changed 5000 before potty training and in that time you could spend up to £1000 on disposable nappies


• reusable nappies cost on average a third of the cost of disposables


• 4% of all household waste is disposable nappies


• 8 million disposable nappies go to landfill in the UK every day


• using reusable nappies could reduce a household's waste by half


• many county councils offer incentives for you to switch to reusable nappies

If you are still unsure, you can purchase trial packs of reusable nappies before commiting yourself. So why not give it a go?

Dusky Moon Shortlisted for Nectar Business Small Business Awards

Dusky Moon Ltd has been shortlisted in the first national Nectar Business Small Business Awards.

The idea to set up the business, which produces bed guards for toddlers and young children, came about when the company founders, Amanda Allerton & Venetia Fuller, moved their own children from a cot into a single bed. The children were constantly falling out of bed and this caused them many sleepless nights. They couldn’t find anything to buy that would help them solve the problem so they decided to produce their own soft and cosy bed guard known as Dream Tubes.

The pair started the business with a bank loan and the success of the product has been phenomenal. There is a huge demand for Dream Tubes as they are easy to use, portable and there is nothing quite like it on the market.

Dream Tubes are are available in our store or on-line http://www.newbeginningsbabyshop.co.uk/product_details.php?catid=29&prodid=158

Summer Sale now on!

Our summer sale is now on in-store. Pop in to the shop to see some of our great sales offers!

We won!

Picture of Lisa (in medieval dress as it was the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival ) being awarded 1st Prize in the Shop Window competition. The gorgeous butterflies are play gyms and the Snail Rockers are by Little Bird Told Me and are available to buy on our website.

Winner of Tewkesbury chamber of Commerce Window Display Competition 2009

We have just been awarded 1st prize in the Tewkesbury Chamber of Commerce Window Display competition 2009. The theme for this year was Garden Glory and we decorated our window with some of the wonderful playmats and rockers from Little Bird Told Me. These are available to purchase in the shop or through our website http://www.newbeginningsbabyshop.co.uk/products.php?catid=48

Choose the right mattress for a good nights sleep

Choosing the right mattress for your baby can be confusing. You want a mattress that is comfortable but that is also safe and hygenic. Which is the right one for you?

• Foam mattress - these are made from a specially developed grade of polyurethane foam for nursery products and so provide a safe mattress at low cost
• Sprung mattress - the springs provide an increased air flow, promote hygiene and regulate body temperature. For older children, the springs aid postural support and encourages natural sleeping positions
• Coir mattress - these mattresses have 100% natural filling and and ideal for parents concerned about environmental issues. They have a natural 'springy' feel but are still resilient, durable and breathable
• Wool - some premium mattresses also contain an additional wool filling. This 100% natural fabric offers superior comfort. Vertical bonded fibre technology helps regulate body temperature and moisture by keeping a cool surface in summer and retaining heat in winter.

Samples of all the mattresses we sell can be seen in the shop. All the mattresses comply with BS7177:2008 for Domestic Use (Low Hazard) and BS1877:Part 10 1997.

Sleeping Tips

The better your baby sleeps, the better you'll sleep:

• Place your baby on their back to sleep
• Cut smoking - fathers too!
• Do not let anybody smoke in the same room as your baby
• Do not fall asleep with your baby on the sofa
• Do not share a bed with your baby if you or your partner are smokers, have been drinking alcohol, taking drugs or medication or are excessively tired
• Keep your baby's cot in your bedroom for the first 6 months
• Place the baby in the 'feet to foot' position with bedding tucked in and no higher than the shoulders
• Do not let your baby get too hot or cold - check the room temperature from time to time
• Ensure the mattress is the correct size and that any gaps at the sides and ends of the cot are less than 4cm

Sunday Opening

Following on from last blog Sunday opening is to happen shortly. Watch this space....

New Beginnings Personalised Shopping Experience

Are you expecting a baby?

Confused by the choice of prams and seemingly endless lists of "vital equipment"?

We have just launched our "Personalised Shopping Experience" in which we open up the shop out of hours just for you! Put your feet up, enjoy some refreshments, get anything you want demonstrated, and ask as many questions as you like!

Fiona & I are mums too and after 6 years in the shop know a bit about prams ! We can point you in the right direction and navigate the maze of baby equipment with you.

At the end of the consultation we can give you a summary of our recommendations for you to take away. To book simply call us on 01684 274448.

Tewkesbury on the Telly!

Watch the Money Programme on BBC2 tonight. Tewkesbury will be featured as Mary Portas (Mary Queen of Shops) filmed here recently.......

Child Safety Week Special Offers

To support Child Safety Week we are running some special offers on safety equipment including:

Safety 1st Pressure Fit Gate was £39.00 now £29.00

Optima Fix Gate reduced by £2.00

Dreamtubes bedguards reduced by £5.00

Flexilocks & Multi-strap locks were £3.49 now £2.49

Safety 1st Digital thermometers were £5.99 now £3.99

What's on in Tewkesbury?

Free (yes FREE) event on in Tewkesbury today. Bring the family for picnic in the park at Victoria Gardens, meet the lock keeper, Captain Darwin and the Severn Bores. The at 9pm starting from the theatre there is a midsummer procession finishing off with a fireworks display as the sun sets.

Sale is on!

Saturday morning and the sale is in full swing. Some great bargains to be had including the Cosatto Cabi Travel system reduced from £459 to £319.

A complete package including pushchair, carrycot car seat, change bag,cosytoes, raincover - and covered under Cosatto's amazing 4 year guarantee

New Arrival!

Congratulations to Jo & Darren Edwards of Tewkesbury for the safe arrival of a beautiful baby girl. Roseanna is now at home with her proud parents.

National Child Safety Week 22-26th June

Accidents are the second biggest childhood killer in the UK. Six children and young people die every week. 2,000 more are admitted to hospital every week because they’ve been injured in accidents. Some are left scarred for life or permanently disabled.

The tragedy is that many of these deaths and serious injuries can be prevented.We can keep children Safer, Together by working together to prevent serious injuries and death from accidents. We all have a role to play in this.

We are proud to support Child Safety Week by offering discounts and special offers on safety equipment during this week. Available in store or online at http://www.newbeginningsbabyshop.co.uk/

TOP TEN SAFETY TIPS TO PREVENT FALLS

1. Babies wriggle and roll so never leave unattended on a change unit, or change on the floor.

2. Always use a 5 point harness in highchairs and pushchairs. Where there is only a 3 point harness make sure it is tight around the waist.

3. Never place a bouncing cradle or car seat on a table or worksurface as these can move and fall.

4. Use corner cushions on sharp edges when babies are learning to toddle.

5. Always have a fireguard in place if you have a hot fire.

6. Use Safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. If possible use a gate without a bottom rail to prevent tripping.

7.Keep floors free of clutter and toys when babies are learning to walk. They don't watch where they put their feet and can easily trip.

8.Fit windows with safety locks to restrict opening to less than 6.5cms as serious injuries can result in falls from windows.

9. Use Safety glass or film on any glass door or window at floor level.

10. Don't put chairs or furniture close to windows where they can climb onto and out.

Mid Season Sale

Our mid-season sale starts 9.30 am on Wednesday June 17th. Lots of reductions and bargains to be had.

Triplets!!!

Congratulations to Sam Blake on the safe arrival of sons Joshua, Adam & Charlie.

Yummy Mummies Support Cancer Research

We are very pleased to announce that we will donate 10p from the sale of each Yummy Mummy bag to Cancer Research. Buy the bags online or instore priced at £2.95 each

new arrival

Congratulations to new mum Angela on the safe arrival of baby Charlotte!

Product of the Week - Travel Potty

Must be potty training time. These travel potties have been flying out this week. It's a clever idea - a fold down potty that has disposeable liners. Perfect for that inevitable " I need a wee wee and I need it NOW!". Another plus is that you can use it on top of a toilet as a trainer seat, or for use in public toilets when they don't want to sit on "that!".

The Potette comes with its own travel bag for convenience and 3 liners and is priced at £13.00. If you need more liners they are available separately in a pack of 10 for £3.00.

The Potette is available in three colours green/purple, blue, or pink and you can buy online at www.newbeginningsbabyshop.co.uk or in store.

Top selling items

From time to time I will post details of our best selling items, both online and in the shop.

Last week, with the sun shining, we had a clear winner - The Outlook Solar Shade. This is such a simple idea which is far more effective than the traditional parasol. Basically it acts as an extension to the hood on your buggy. Made of fabric which is UPF50+ you tie it over your existing hood and it provides shade and safety from the sun for your baby or child. Priced at £25.00 it's money well spent to keep your children safe from the sun.

It comes in a choice of six colours.

Maclaren has arrived!

Latest news this week from New Beginnings is that we are proud to announce we now stock Maclaren buggies. Renowned for their hard wearing durability they now offer the Sovereign Lifetime Guarantee on all their buggies. To be eligible you must register your buggy online within 45 days of purchase and in return Maclaren will guarantee to repair any manufacturing defects for the life of the buggy. For the full range have a look on our website www.newbeginningsbabyshop.co.uk

Top Ten Baby Names

Following the recent anouncement that Chris Evans has called his new baby boy "Noah". We thought it would be fun to look at the top ten boys and girtls names of 2008, and also at what celebrities are calling their children.

Top 10 Boys names for 2008

1 Jack
2 Oliver
3 Harry
4 Charlie
5 Alfie
6 Thomas
7 Joshua
8 James
9 William
10 Daniel

Top 10 Girl's names for 2008

1 Holly
2 Ruby
3 Grace
4 Olivia
5 Sophie
6 Chloe
7 Emily
8 Jessica
9 Mia
10 Evie

These babies arrived in 2008 to celebrity parents...

Beau, born to Louise Rednapp in November
Winston, born to Billie Piper in October
Zuma, born to Gwen Stefani in August
Twins Knox and Vivienne born to Angelina Jolie in July
Malcolm, born to Ulrika Jonsson in June
Ignatius, born to Cate Blanchett in April
Nahla, born to Halle Berry in March
Isaac, born to Sara Cox in March
Twins Max and Emme, born to Jennifer Lopez in February
Harlow, born to Nicole Ritchie in January
Beckett, born to Stella McCartney in January

We would like to hear back from you as to what name you chose and if there was a special reason why.