Tiny Tickers' Think 20 Campaign

Today I'm sharing a new campaign from Tiny Tickers charity which is very close to my heart. 

"Tiny Tickers is a small national charity that aims to improve the detection, care and treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD) in babies. 

Tiny Tickers provides specialist training to health professionals and sonographers so they are better equipped to identify a heart defect during a pregnancy scan. We support parents and families dealing with a diagnosis, and we raise awareness of heart defects in babies so that parents know what signs to look out for.

Knowing the diagnosis at the 20-week scan means that doctors are ready to make sure that your baby has the right treatment and support as soon as they are born.

One in every 125 babies is born with a heart problem- that’s more than 5,000 newborns each year in the UK. The baby heart’s charity, Tiny Tickers, wants to make sure that every baby is given the best possible start by increasing understanding of the real purpose of the 20-week scan. 

Early diagnosis of heart defects gives babies a better chance of survival and long term quality of life. Detection during pregnancy means the right medical experts can be on hand at birth, treatment can begin as soon as possible and parents can start getting the support they need- from the start.

Test your knowledge on what the 20 week scan is really for!

The 20-week scan is one of the most in-depth health checks a baby will have during pregnancy. And it’s the very best opportunity to spot heart defects before birth. If you are pregnant, you can test just how much you know about it through an online quiz developed by Tiny Tickers.

At the end of the quiz you can also request an information pack which will give mums to be a check list on what questions to ask the sonographer at your 20-week scan giving you the confidence to protect your tiny ticker.

Tiny Tickers are aiming to reach all pregnant women with practical information which could save their baby’s life.

Please take a moment to take part in the Think 20. Think HEART quiz and then share it on your Facebook or Twitter. Together we can build vital awareness and reach the 1,000 babies sent home every year from UK hospitals with a heart condition that nobody knows about".

Settling in session at nursery and mummy's worries

Last week my darling L had her 2 free settling in sessions with each session lasting 2.5 hours. During the first session I have been completing paperwork and registering in Tapestry- online system whilst L and her new friends were bringing me all the toys to play with.

I had all sorts of emotions during these hours, at first it felt awkward, I was doubting my own decision, then it got more relaxed, deputy manager answered all my questions which made me feel better about the place and our routine, I saw L interacting with kids and it felt good, it felt right. 

The next session was so much different, I was encouraged to leave L to see how she gets on without me, cutting long story short it didn't go well. Whilst it was only 2.5 hours I was constantly checking the phone thinking about L wanting to pick her up and to know how it went. Pick up wasn't easy, the moment she saw me L started crying hysterically and only calmed down when we were behind the door with a new toy as a treat. 

From that day onwards I started to think over and over again if I'm making the right decision, if L will ever settle, if she is happy there, if they do everything they can. It feels as if I'm trying to pick on things not to like the place, that everything since the day we went to nursery things don't go to plan. I see how L changed, she is no longer relaxed, sociable, outgoing toddler, she knows what's about to happen and will refuse to get into pushchair to go to nursery or let go of me. 
Her first proper session didn't go well either, during/after her second settling in session she managed to pick up cold and suffered with sniffles and high temperature all weekend and Monday morning. I did take her to the nursery when her temperature normalised, but L didn't have any food there at all and after 4 hours there, manager has called me asking to pick L up. 

I was told it will get easier, but it just gets worse, it feels worse, catching yet another bug doesn't help either.I feel so guilty for taking her there, for letting her suffer and cry, it seems so emotional for both of us. I know we can only wait and hope that it improves, wish us luck!

Review: Teletubbies Pull And Play Noo Noo Giant Activity Toy

When I was a little younger I recall watching Teletubbies with my nephew, I could never decide which of the characters I like more. Believe it or not I don't remember seeing Noo Noo but as my husband is a massive fan of this cute blue hoover I knew that Teletubbies pull and play giant Noo Noo toy ( £49.99) could potentially be a great toy for my daughter and her daddy. 

If you are not very familiar with the show- Noo Noo is the hoover character from Teletubbies, a bit of an unsung hero if you like.

L loves to discover new toys and finding out how to play with them in case mummy didn't work it out, Noo Noo pull along toy is not an exception. Once the box was ripped apart and giant Noo Noo toy was out L didn't hesitate and started investigating all the buttons and puzzles. 

I was very impressed with a true likeness of the toy and the size of it, it is truly giant and the biggest toy I have or L has ever owned. What makes it even better- much loved Teletubbies characters are incorporated into the Noo Noo toy.

Noo Noo giant pull along toy comes has few entertaining features:

- suitable for 18 months and up
- big, round googly eyes make Noo Noo more realistic
- it has a string allowing your little one to pull it back and forth
- pink "light ball" at the back of the toy lights up when on the move and when playing music; On/Off buttons and slot for batteries are at the bottom of the light

- 3D Teletubbies jigsaw (on one of the sides of Noo Noo toy) with little knob on each toy allowing your little one to grip each shape and take it out or put it back in

- large shape sorter (on the other side of Noo Noo) with a storage section allowing to store shapes and play with them. Both these activities allow your little one to develop skills, both visual and problem solving
- interactive buttons on top of the toy making slurping sounds, repeating Teletubbies speech and playing music depending on the button you press (some sounds maybe similar)
- On/Off button has different mode: Voice- allowing Noo Noo to make all sorts of funny noises, spin the brush and pick up magnetic custard splat (a very accurate representation of the Noo Noo); Off mode and Mute mode which essentially mutes any Noo Noo noises apart form the interactive buttons on top of the toy.

Even though L has never watched new version of Teletubbies she recognised characters from the TV advert straight away, which I think made her even more connected with the toy. We have been testing the toy for couple of weeks now and only recently discovered funny noises Noo Noo makes when set to Voice mode. I would advise to give Noo Noo's nose or eyes a little shake that's how our toy "woke up". 

Unlike other pull along toys sturdy Noo Noo will not fall on it's side or upside down. L pulls it along from one room to another with different obstacles on the way and I haven't heard the toy falling over once which also tells me that it's a sturdy toys.

Teletubbies Pull And Play Noo Noo Giant Activity Toy is a perfect toy for Chistmas or birthday, keeping your little one entertained and educated for a long time.

Disclaimer: I was sent the item mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The post in written in collaboration with guest poster- my other half.