Ever since my first daughter was born, I have been a massive fan of The Gro Company products, and have used most of the range – from the traditional grobag, to more recently the Gro to Bed toddler bedding now that Erin is older. As soon as my newborn made her arrival, I was keen to try out their new 2 in one Swaddle and Grobag suitable from birth – the Grosnug. If you haven’t tried one before, here’s my grosnug review.
What is the Grosnug?
The Grosnug is a revolutionary New 2 in 1 Swaddle and Newborn Grobag.
The Grosnug enables you to swaddle your babywith either arms in or arms out depending on your child’s preference. The Grosnug is extremely easy to use with no folding needed and a long zip that opens from the bottom for nappy changes. Its unique design creates space for hip healthy natural leg position and perfectly transitions your baby into their first Grobag.
Made from supersoft and stretchy cotton, the Grosnug is available in two different weights – Light and Cosy, tailoring them to different room temperatures.
One size fits all babies from 5lb to 12lb. The Grosnug is Machine washable and can be tumble dried on a low heat.
There are four different designs available including Stars, Polka Dots, Penguins and Rainbows and they retail for £16.99. You can currently get 12% off your first order at The Gro Store – making them just £14.95.
Our Grosnug review
From the first few days in the hospital alone, it became fairly clear that Neve liked to be swaddled. She seemed to prefer the comfort of being tightly wrapped in her blankets, perhaps because it reminded her of being in the womb! She also had a tendency to wake herself up with flailing arms, so having them neatly tucked away led to a better nights sleep for all of us!
We had been sent a selection from The Gro Company, and therefore when we returned home, I was keen to try them out and carry out a full Grosnug review!
Unlike some swaddle blankets I had used when Erin was a baby, putting Neve into the Grosnug was really straight forward, without needing a degree in origami like it can be with some others on the market! The Grosnug has a large zip that runs from top to bottom and it really was a case of popping her in and zipping her up. The product has press studs sealing in the arms at the top, and can be changed to arms out when required. The zip doesn’t ever make contact with Neve’s face or body, with small zip protector flaps concealing them safely away from the skin.
There has been some debate about whether swadding is good for babies, so it was reassuring to know that the Grosnug has been designed with curved seams to ensure a healthy hip position.
On the first night of our Grosnug review, Neve slept MUCH better than with a normal blanket. She looked content and comfortable. I slept well too, safe in the knowledge she would stay at the same temperature as unable to kick off her blanket which she had done at times before. The Grosnug material felt soft and cosy, and I really liked the subtle gender neutral design.
The only slight challenge of the Grosnug with the arms contained is when breastfeeding, as I found it could be a little tricky to get Neve comfortable against the breast as her arms were quite bulky in front of her. Also, my milk is a little on the fast side, and so I had to be extra careful not to get milk on the Grosnug, where as with a blanket I would remove this to feed her. The latter wasn’t a major problem, as I just needed to cover her with a muslin before I started feeding!!
As Neve got a little bigger, she was less frequently startling herself when lay on her back, so we decided to use the Grosnug to transition to arms out, in preparation for when we move her into her first Gro Bag. We did one arm at a time, and found this to be quite effective. She now sleeps in that adorable arms up position which melts my heart! 🙂
One of the biggest positives I found during our Grosnug review, is that its design still ensures that nappy changes aren’t a challenge, even in a dimly lit room. The zip opens all the way up at the bottom, allowing me to change Neve’s nappy without having to completely remove the swaddle. Not only does this prevent a full wake up, but keeps her snuggly and warm whilst I change her. Neve very rarely cries, but she HATES being cold!!!
Overall I was really impressed with the Grosnug, particularly in those first few weeks at home with our newborn. I think a slow transition has really helped Neve adapt to an “arms out” sleeping position. Now 2 months old, she is getting close to the maximum weight for the Grosnug, so we have now moved onto the traditional Gro Bag. She looks tiny in it, but she is sleeping well! 🙂
You can learn more about the Grosnug in the online Gro Store.
*Disclosure – I was sent a products for the purpose of this Grosnug review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Is your child soon to be starting school? Are you looking for the best uniform name labels? We’ve recently been putting Stickerscape Name Labels through their paces – so here’s what you need to know.
Erin recently started preschool – and with it, came the parental responsibility to label EVERYTHING. Literally everything. From her cup to her lunch bag, wellies and shoes, and what feels like every single item of clothing she has ever owned! I have always had a bit of a nightmare labelling things in the past, either using a washable fabric pen, or pieces of paper stuck on with cellotape, but neither look great, and neither last very long!
I was given the opportunity to review Stickerscape’s new range of name labels and when I heard these included an Iron On uniform label – I jumped at the chance – no more sitting for hours in front of the TV with a needle and thread!
About Stickerscape Name Labels
Stickerscape pride themselves on name labels that are practical and look fab! For younger children who aren’t yet able to read their name, having an image helps them recognise their own items, and for older children it’s a fun chance to reflect a bit more personality.
Stickerscape offer 3 great value name label packs, in a number of different designs including football, Peppa Pig, space, comic book, fairies and dinosaurs! Simply choose from stick on labels, iron on labels, or a handy mixed pack combining both. Each pack contains a variety of different sticker shapes and sizes. The super tough stick on labels are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe, whilst the iron on labels can withstand regular washing and be used in the tumble dryer.
Our Experience
We ordered a Stickerscape mixed label pack with a space theme. Erin has always had a slight obsession with the moon (don’t ask!) and therefore these alien and planet designs were right up her street.
This pack contains a combination of stick on labels, ideal for her cup, shoes and wellies and iron on labels, which are perfect for labelling Erin’s clothing and uniform.
The Stickerscape mixed name label pack costs £12 and contains 180 individual name label stickers in total, in the following sizes:
60 mini stick on labels: 4.7cm x 0.9cm 60 mini iron on labels: 4.7cm x 0.9cm 28 round stick on labels: 3.3cm diameter 32 small rectangular stick on labels: 4.5cm x 1.8cm
I was really impressed with the stickers when they arrived, and loved the handy packet that they came in to ensure they were all kept safely in one place.
The stick on labels are thick and of high quality, and were perfect for labelling some of Erin’s items such as her drinks cup, favourite Frozen lunch bag, and even the inside of her shoes. Erin was super excited to have space stickers on the inside of her shoes, and keen to show them to her best friend Zara at preschool! 🙂
*please note the surname has been blurred to protect my daughter’s full name*
I love how tidy and neat the stickers look, unlike the rookie labelling I’d done previously and the bright and colourful designs mean that Erin can easily recognise her own items from a group of others, even though she isn’t yet able to write or read her own name.
The cup has been washed and dried numerous times, and the sticker has stayed firmly put.
My favourite item in the pack has to be the iron on labels – which are a MASSIVE time saver, particularly if you have been sewing on name tags previously.
The iron on labels are really easy to use. You simply peel of the label of choice, place on the flat garment in the desired position and cover with the protective paper provided. You then use your iron (not on a steam setting) and press over the paper for 15 seconds. Once cooled, you remove the paper and the label is firmly stuck to the clothing. You should ensure that the product is flat when ironing, as you may otherwise get a slight wrinkle in the label.
The labels bought in this pack work out at about 7p each. When you weigh up the amount of time and effort this saves as well it is worth every single penny!
Pros:
Super sticky and thick quality – dishwasher and microwave safe!
Huge range of designs available for both boys and girls with a number of different colour themes.
Stickers come in a range of sizes, including some with an image to help younger children recognise their own items.
Iron on labels are quick and easy to use, and washing machine and tumble dryer safe.
Good value for money
Cons:
A few more of the image stickers in each pack would be good as these were Erin’s favourite.
A sibling friendly pack may be good – one with 90 of each name.
The name labels aren’t very easy to find on the website, probably because they are relatively new to Stickerscape, who predominantly sell wall stickers.
You can see the full range of name labels and the different designs available at Stickerscape.co.uk
*Disclosure – I was sent a pack of Name Labels from Stickerscape for the purpose of this review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own*
My daughter is now just over 3 months old and is getting bigger and cuter by the day. I love nothing more than getting her all cosy and ready for bed after her evening bath time, but have found that some of the baby towels can be a little rough and dry against her sensitive skin. I was amazed to learn that the average product marked 100% cotton, only actually contains around 75% cotton – with the rest being made up of resins, dyes and potentially harmful chemicals that were used to grow and make it. Natures Purest is different, and so we were chuffed to bits to trial their Pure Love Bathrobe and Slipper set, our full verdict on which is below.
About Natures Purest
Natures Purest, a luxury British Baby brand was created in 2006, when founder Jane Albon gave birth to her daughter, but struggled to find her anything to wear or play with that was natural or pure. Starting with just 5 pieces in their Hug Me Bear Collection, 8 years on, Natures Purest now have over 14 ranges with over 240 products and a presence in 46 countries. They passionately believe in creating sensitive, natural products that will not irritate your precious baby in any way, with every one of their baby products being made to the highest possible safety and quality standards.
All Nature’s Purest ranges are made from organically grown, naturally coloured cotton produced without harmful pesticides, chemicals or dyes. The cotton buds grow in natural shades of cream, brown and green and are hand picked and pressed to make natural and pure fabrics, resulting in exceptionally soft and gentle products.
Products available include a wide range of organic cotton clothing (babygrows, vests, hats, socks, booties), blankets, toys, comforters, nursery bedding sets and gifts, all packaged in their signature brown recyclable boxes.
Ranges are available to purchase from http://www.naturespurest.co.uk and Selfridges, as well as various other independent stores across the Midlands (please see website for full list of stockists).
About the Product
The Pure Love Bathrobe & Slippers set is suitable for babies aged 0 – 6 months. Made from 100% cotton towelling, the robe features a bunny design (including ears on the hood) and on the front of the slippers. The inside of the hood is made from soft cream jersey material edged with a silk trim.
The set retails at £30 and comes packaged in a beautiful recycled card gift box, with a cut out heart enabling you to see the product inside. A perfect gift for any new mum or mum to be.
Our Experience
On receiving the Pure Love Bathrobe & Slippers Set the first thing that is apparent is just how beautifully the product is packaged. Any one who receives this as a gift couldn’t help but be impressed with the presentation – a beautifully natural coloured brown cardboard gift box, with a cut out heart design, allowing you to peak inside and take a look. Tied with a cream ribbon, this package would require no additional wrapping if giving as a gift, as is such a lovely statement on its own.
We untied the bow with excitement and saw the gorgeous robe folded neatly inside, with the slippers resting neatly on top, and the bunny design visible immediately.
The robe is made from thick towelling material which is soft to the touch, and unlike other towelling products we have used, I was confident that this would feel gentle against my daughters skin, whilst still being thick and sturdy enough to be absorbent. The embroidered bunny face and ears on the hood are very cute, and are an adorable feature for a newborn range. I couldn’t wait to give my daughter her evening bath, and by this point I was wishing they sold one in an adult size!
The slippers are relatively generous in size, and at first I was a little concerned they wouldn’t stay on my daughters very wriggly feet, however, they stayed put just fine, with the material pinching in just at the ankle to keep them in place.
I used the robe and slippers after my daughters bath, once towel dryed, to get her cosy before bedtime. The hood is of a good size, and flopped down generously around her face. The sleeves were a just the right length (not too long) and the robe tied easily around her waist, with the strap being securely fastened at the back to ensure it did not get separated from the robe or get lost.
As our daughter is quite long in length, we did find that the robe came up slightly shorter than we had expected, as it didn’t quite cover her whole nappy. For those who are smaller on the height percentile, this would probably be less noticeable.
Overall, we really fell in love with the Pure Love Bathrobe and Slippers, as it looks so adorable on, and was great piece of mind to know that the product was completely safe and natural against my daughters skin.
Pros:
Made from 100% natural organic cotton, with no harmful pesticides or dyes.
Gender neutral shades, make it a perfect gift for boys or girls, or for mums to be who haven’t found out the gender of their bump!
Beautifully packaged and presented.
Soft to the touch yet absorbent to soak up any remaining moisture after towel drying.
Looks completely adorable on, and will melt lots of hearts (beware if feeling slightly broody!)
Complimentary items available in the Pure Love range.
Fully recyclable packaging and ethical manufacture, makes this a fully guilt free purchase!
Cons:
For us, we felt the robe could do with being just that little bit longer – but I guess it’s a fine balance to ensure smaller babies aren’t totally swamped!
A little button inside to secure the robe in place may also be beneficial, as the strap tie can come undone fairly easily, particularly with a very wriggly little one!
At £30, this robe and slipper set is obviously a luxury item rather than a must have, but I personally would be happy to pay a little extra for something that is ethically manufactured and 100% natural.
You can learn more about the Pure Love range, and all the products at Natures Purest on their website here – http://www.naturespurest.co.uk
Thanks to RMR Network Blogger Helen and her daughter Izzy for this review.
When my daughter turned 2 recently *sob*, I wanted a special outfit for her to wear on her special day, ideally something with her age on so that it could be a great keepsake of the occasion. I had tried to do something similar for her first birthday but found it really difficult to find a design I liked. I encountered similar problems this time around in that:
The few stores that did sell them only sold them in the same size as their age – e.g. I am 2 TShirt was only available in a size 2 years. As my daughter is a little on the small side, this wasn’t going to work – a 2 years Tshirt would swamp her, and there wasn’t the option to buy it in a smaller size.
Other personalise your own T Shirts were very basic in design, and didn’t look high quality. I wanted a design that looked stylish and trendy!
Just when I thought I’d have to park the idea completely, I came across the amazing new designs from Made4Keepsake. Having known Leanne from Made4Keepsake for a while now, and previously reviewed her Date of Birth frames, I was really excited, as they were just what I was hoping for. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive!
About Made4Keepsake
I first came across Made4Keepsake on Twitter, and was immediately impressed with the wide range of keepsake items on offer, including Keepsake Bears (made from babies sentimental first clothing), Date of Birth Prints, Christening Prints, and Handmade Personalised Photo Albums. Made4Keepsake was created by Leanne, who as a fashion designer, has created and designed all of the artwork and imagery for every single one of the products on offer. She wanted to create products with an added personal unique touch so that important moments can be cherished forever.
The Designs:
Birthday Boy / Birthday Girl T Shirt
This fun birthday t-shirt is personalised with the child’s name, age and year of birth on.
T-shirt is 100% cotton and available in the following sizes.
6-12months
1-2 yrs
2-3 yrs
3-4 yrs.
Price is £11.95 plus P&P
Birthday Girl / Birthday Boy Vest
This beautifully designed birthday vest comes with the child’s name, age and year of birth on.
Vest is made from 100% cotton and is available in the following sizes: •
6-12 months
12-18 months
18-24 months.
Price is £10.95 plus p&p
Both products are perfect to remind everyone who’s special day it is and make a wonderful keepsake. Because they are unique they makes a great gift for the birthday boys and girls and looks fab on birthday photos!
Our Experience
We ordered Erin a birthday vest – and were finally able to order a vest didn’t need to match the age of her birthday!
The order process with Made4Keepsake was quick and easy, we simply completed the online form here http://www.made4keepsake.co.uk/shop.html#!/Girls-Heart-Birthday-Vest/p/51605963/category=13148743 outlining Erin’s details, including her name, age and year of birth and selected the size of vest we wanted to order. We received a confirmation to advise that our order had gone through successfully.
Postage is just £2 (for the one vest) and was very quick – my vest arrived just 7 days after order (advised 7-10 days), which for an individually personalised item is a really fast turnaround.
The vest arrived wrapped in tissue with a Made4Keepsake tag, and I was over the moon upon opening it!
The vest itself is traditional white in colour, but the design features a large pink heart with little flowers on the one side, and my daughter’s name in a large fun capitalised font.
The vest is soft to the touch, with no rough texture where the design is present on the fabric and sizing was accurate – the vest fitted Erin perfectly (we ordered a 12-18 month as she is on the small side!)
Unlike some birthday outfits, this vest isn’t vulgar and garish, but really subtle and girly and looks very cute with a little rah rah skirt!
I was (and still am!) over the moon with the finished look and quality of the product and will be placing an order next year for an Erin is 3 T Shirt!
We took some of our now traditional birthday photos with decoupage letters to mark the occasion, and visitors commented on how cute it was on her big day! I think this is a perfect way of marking the occasion, and with Tshirts available up to 3-4 years, I reckon I can get another two birthdays worth of these yet!
As a final note, I think its important to note that the vest washed well, unlike some other personalised items I have had in the past. It did not crack or peel and stayed soft and clean.
Overall I cannot recommend this product more highly, and I think a fab addition to Made4Keepsake’s existing range of personalised products. Other TShirt and Vest designs are available on the Made4Keepsake website – see the ONLINE SHOP button for the full range!
Pros:
The design is subtle and beautiful!
A great way of marking your child’s special day, and a wonderful keepsake.
Personalised with your child’s name, making them feel extra special!
Good quality vest/tee, which washed well and didn’t crack or peel.
Completely unique, you won’t see them on every street corner!
Available in the size of choice, so if your child is small or big for their age, you can find a vest or tee to fit!
Great value for money!
Would make a perfect gift for a child’s birthday!
Cons:
I honestly cannot fault this product as I absolutely LOVE it! I always try to play devil’s advocate and think of a con – but the only one I can think of is that she can’t wear it every day! Lol
Not a con but a suggestion – don’t leave it to the last minute to ensure you have item in time! Products are sent by royal mail and delivery in our case was very quick, but to be on the safe side I would recommend that you order to ARRIVE at least 5 days BEFORE the child’s birthday to avoid disappointment.
Hi, I’m Lucy, a thirty something mum of two from Birmingham. A memory maker, tradition keeper, stationery addict and Mr Men fanatic. HR Advisor by day and sleep deprived Mama by night!
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