The nappy rash cream Sudocrem blog recently advised that a seat for your child is a must when flying. The restraints in airplanes are not designed for young children and this is where CARES comes in.

CARES is the only harness that has been certified for airplane travel by the Federal Aviation Administration. It is suitable for children weighing 22 – 44 lbs and should be considered if you are flying with children this year.

As tough as a standard seatbelt, small enough to fit in your pocket (and light enough to not even know you are carrying it), it will not affect your hand luggage allowance.

It may give you peace of mind during a flight, as well as giving your young one a safe option when flying.

You can find out more about CARES here.

If you are nodding in agreement as you read this, thinking that you’ll never have the time, or money, to pamper yourself and give your skin the treat it deserves, then read on as we tell you how to literally do your own budget facial at home.

You will need either a herbal tea bag or your favourite essential oil, some honey, olive oil, natural yogurt and some brown sugar.

Cleanse

The first step of your DIY facial involves cleansing your skin. Remove all traces of makeup and wash your face using your normal cleanser. Pat dry your skin and have a clean, dry and smooth base to begin your facial.

Steam

The second step involves exposing your face to steam as steam opens the pores and cleanses your skin deeper than conventional cleaning methods of using soap and water. Simply boil some water in a bowl and add either a herbal tea bag or several drops of essential oil.

Position your face so that it is a couple of inches from the bowl and place a towel over your head. Let the steam evaporate around your face for approximately five minutes. Make sure that you are comfortable to reap the relaxing sensations created by the steam.

Scrub

As exfoliators can be expensive, make your own instead by mixing a teaspoon of brown sugar with a couple of drops of water until you have a smooth paste. Gently massage into your face using circular movements and avoiding the delicate area around your eyes.

The small crystals from the sugar will act as an exfoliator and remove any dead skin and other impurities. Rinse the home-made exfoliator off and pat dry your skin.

Mask

Mix one teaspoon of natural yoghurt with one teaspoon of olive oil and two teaspoons of honey to form your own face mask. The properties in the olive oil will brighten up the complexion, the yoghurt acts as a mild cleanser, whilst honey, being a natural antioxidant, removes toxins and help rehydrate the skin.

Simply apply your nourishing lotion to your skin and leave on for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

There you have it. Who needs expensive beauty salons when you can get a luxury budget facial at home? Give it a try!

If you are a dad and you are feeling ‘left out’ or finding it hard to bond with your little one, the following baby bonding tips for Dads may help you develop that special father/baby bond.

1 – Bath the baby

Bathing a baby, whilst staring into her eyes and making her smile, can be a great way to develop a bond between baby and dad. If you are a new dad, try and give your baby her bath regularly, as not only will it help your infant become more familiar with your face, but it will also give mum a well-deserved break!

2 – Carry your baby

Carrying a baby close to you in a sling or a carrier can be a good way for a baby to get used to their dad’s feel and smell. You don’t have to go on a three-mile walk with your baby in a sling, but just carrying her around the house or holding her close as you watch the television, can be an effective way to develop a bond.

3 – Put baby to bed

Even if mum is breastfeeding try and be involved in putting your little one to bed. Talk to her softly as she falls asleep will make sure she gets used to her dad’s voice as well as her mum’s and associate dad with bedtime.

4 – Read to your baby

Children do not have to be a certain age before you should start reading to them. On the contrary, the earlier you start reading the better, and a dad reading a story to his baby every night is one of the best baby bonding tips for Dads.

5 – Practice regular father and baby ‘alone’ time

It is easy for a mum and baby to spend a lot of time on their own but dad and baby spending quality time together is often less common. Quality father/baby alone time can help build a bond and it is important that dads spend time alone with their baby each week. Just a trip to the park, 15-minutes sat in the garden or some ‘playtime’ on their baby mat, can make all the difference in developing that crucial father/baby bond.

Newborn babies naturally cry a lot, although when a baby cries excessively it can be extremely distressing for the parents.

If you are expecting or are a new parent who is anguished by your baby’s seemingly relentless cries, the following five tips on how to settle a newborn may help your baby seem more contented, and after all a happy baby makes happy parents.

1 – Wind

Wind is one of the leading contributors that make babies cry and one that can be easily remedied with a simple burp. A good way to tell if your baby has wind is to see whether he has a grey/blue area between his top lip and nose, as this often indicates a windy baby. Try rubbing or gently patting your baby’s back regularly to bring wind up.

2 – Temperature

Babies cannot regulate their temperature like we can and therefore if they are too hot or too cold they will simply cry. The best place to check a baby’s temperature is behind their neck or under their arms and it is vital that you regularly monitor your baby’s temperature, particularly to avoid overheating.

3 – Pacifiers

Pacifiers are the more ‘PC’ name for dummies. Whilst some parents don’t like the look of a dummy in a baby’s mouth, pacifiers can be a great way to sooth a baby and can, as the name suggests, pacify them. Some parents find that placing a pacifier in their baby’s mouth can help them to get to sleep by themselves and sleep more soundly.

4 – Teething

Teething is another common reason why a baby can cry excessively. Fortunately there are a lot of lotions, creams, gels and gadgets designed to sooth the pain caused by teething. Be sure to take advantage of such products. Water filled rings that can be put in the fridge can be particularly soothing for a teething baby, or failing that, try gently rubbing your baby’s gums with your finger.

5 – Nappy rash

Most babies experience nappy rash at some point. Nappy rash, particularly if it becomes severe, can cause a lot of pain and discomfort to a baby. Although similar to teething, there are some excellent products that can treat and soothe such as Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream. Also ensure that you change your baby regularly to prevent the condition from worsening and let your baby have a ‘nappy free’ period each day.

What has been traditionally a ‘woman’s’ role, it is refreshing that such gender stigmas are finally being broken, as most parents are in favour of male workers being employed at nurseries and in other childcare roles.

The survey interviewed 1,200 parents, all of whom had children attending one of the 14 largest nursery chains in the UK.

Out of the parents’ poll, 98% of the participants said they were in support of men looking after their children. As well as parents being interviewed, the survey also took the opinions of the childcare workers employed at the nurseries.

Out of a random 750 female child carers interviewed, 98% said would embrace having a male worker as a colleague.

The recent findings are an important step in gender equality in the workforce. If more parents are vocal and their favour of having more male child care workers, then the childcare industry is more likely to employ men in this traditionally female-orientated working environment.

The reasons that almost a unanimous number of parents would want to see more male workers employed in child care positions is relatively straight forward.

Earlier research conducted by the children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC), showed a large number of parents, particularly single mothers, would like to see and man involved in caring for their child in their absence, primarily so that male early years workers would ensure that young children have adequate contact with a man.

Talking about the importance for young children to have a male role model, Thom Crabbe, National Development Manager for Early Years at the Children’s Workforce Development Council said:

“Parents are right to want to see more men working in early years. It is important that during the crucial first five years of a child’s life they have quality contact with both male and female role models.”

Source: This is London – Parents welcome men into childcare & Cypnow – Childcare workers hail EYPS career boost