Yummy Mummy Magazine June/July 2019

Yummy Mummy

JUNE/JULY 19 issue 28

Junior Collection Spring/Summer 2019

Yummy Mummy magazine

The luxury parenting publication for discerning mothers living in London

FROM THE

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EDITOR

he most family-oriented of London’s luxury hotels, the setting of The Ritz is perfect, with the wide spaces of the stunning Royal Green Park on our doorstep and a variety of toy stores and family activities to delight children only a short walk away. The service is legendary and their Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant boasts a menu sure to please even the fussiest of young diners.

For the Spring/Summer 2019, the Emporio Armani junior collection increasingly takes on the brand’s stylistic codes, with shapes, cuts and apparel adapted for kids in a new, original Mini Me line.

For the first time ever at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, visitors can enter the set of Gringotts Wizarding Bank allowing fans to walk through the main banking hall just like Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Coral Kingdom is the brand new, exciting experience at Sea Life London, featuring over 1,000 clownfish in a live coral tank over 40ft long! A spectacle of colour has arrived at Sea Life with the UK’s largest living coral reef unveiled in the new Coral Kingdom.

Whether your newborn is royalty or not (oh hi, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor), when it comes to taking a tot from A to B, comfort and safety are paramount. A baby carrier is the perfect solution for parents who want to transport their little one without having to faff with a pram or buggy, but what do new mums or dads need to know about baby wearing?

Alex Lux Editor

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www.thelifemagazines.com © All Rights Reserved. Life Magazines are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd. takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in these publications and any loss arising therefrom. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to Life Magazines, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to such material. Fish Media Group Ltd. reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication.

Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

Editor Alex Lux ••••• Editorial Assistant Katie Miller ••••• Design & Production Lisa Wade ••••• senior business ACCOUNT manager Vanessa Lane ••••• ACCOUNT MANAGERS Nicola Drew Lisa Westerman ••••• Directors Rory Smith Patrick Smith

YUMMY MUMMY

Folk Inspired Animal Pattern in a Gentle Colour Palette Create a beautiful Nursery Interior with coordinating items

Mix & Match

Textiles - Wallcoverings - Accessories wildfolk.uk.com

CONTENTS SUMMER FUN GUIDE

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PREGNANCY, BIRTH & BABIES

71

Get out and about with the kids this summer for great family fun Keeping you and baby happy and healthy throughout pregnancy and birth

0844 800 8439

www.thelifemagazines.com

Pure Simple Chic offers handmade pure merino wool baby and toddler blankets in timeless designs and colours, that are not only soft to touch, but also delicate on the baby’s skin. Merino wool with all its amazing qualities - breathable, antibacterial, temperature and moisture regulating - is the perfect material for a baby blanket. We strongly believe in slow, sustainable fashion built around natural, quality materials and small-scale production with the personal touch.

Our blankets really do accompany any style, at any time.

Get the perfect gift for that special little one at www.puresimplechic.com and follow @puresimplechic on Instagram.

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KIDZ@THE

Creating magical memories for children

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he most family-oriented of London’s luxury hotels, the setting of The Ritz is perfect, with the wide spaces of the stunning Royal Green Park on our doorstep and a variety of toy stores and family activities to delight children only a short walk away.

The service is legendary and their Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant boasts a menu sure to please even the fussiest of young diners.

Young guests of The Ritz will remember getting dressed up and taking their first world famous Afternoon Tea with mummy and daddy or their first Ritz bathrobe and slippers, identical in all but size to that of their parent’s. A stay at The Ritz creates memories between families that will be cherished forever, rather than providing a distraction for children when travelling away from home.

To make a reservation please email reservations@theritzlondon.com or telephone +44 (0) 20 7300 2222; www.theritzlondon.com

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Every child th a member o at stays automatically be f c children’s pro ‘kidz@theritz’, their exclu omes sive gramme. Th ey VIK (Very Im por tant Kid) receive their own which come membership s (for children with a host of exciting card, benefits up to 15 ye ars-old): • Sp

ecial welcom e gifts • In-room ga mes consoles • In-room se lection of ag e-appropriat DVDs e children’s books and • Children’s bathroom am enities, bath • Special trea robes and sl ts at evening ippers turn down • Complimen tary ice crea m in The Palm Restaurant Court or The Ritz • Children’s menus in th e M ichelin-starr £30 for two ed Ritz Resta courses or £ urant for 35 for three • English br courses eakfast £20 pe r child • Afternoon Tea £35 per child • Children up to the age of 15 can stay a complimen in their pare tary basis (J nts’ room on unior Suite • Guarantee or above) d interconne ct in g rooms at th (subject to ro e time of bo om category oking ) • Complimen tary cots • External ba bysitting serv ice can be ar ranged thro ugh Concier ge

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The ultimate Disney experience that will leave the whole family captivated which was all started by a mouse 20th September 2019 - 5th January 2020

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rab your Mickey ears and get ready for the celebration of the century as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and pals take to the ice to honour the legacy of Walt Disney and welcome audiences on a magical journey through classic and modern Disney tales. Families will join the fun in an exciting opening number that salutes Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as the original hosts of Disney On Ice. The production will be head to The O2 and go on tour across the UK. This fanfare production features more than 50 unforgettable Disney stars, a sing-along score of melodious masterpieces, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes and intricate sets. Audiences will travel to the heart of Africa with Disney’s The Lion King, come along for an adventure in friendship with the gang from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story, and watch in amazement as Belle breaks the Beast’s curse in the tale of Beauty & The Beast.

Fans will enter the magical kingdom of Arendelle from Disney’s Frozen and journey up the North Mountain with hilarious snowman Olaf and rugged mountain-man Kristoff, as they help royal sisters Anna and Elsa discover that true love conquers all.

This year’s Disney On Ice production celebrates some of Disney’s most beloved characters from 14 treasured stories. Audiences will find themselves dancing out of their seats as a collection of Disney melodies like “Hakuna Matata,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Let

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THE DETAILS For the complete list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit www.disneyonice.co.uk Stay current on the latest developments through social media by visiting: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ DisneyOnIceUK Twitter: @DisneyOnIce #100YearsOfMagic YouTube: www.youtube.com/ DisneyOnIce Instagram: @DisneyOnIce

It Go” fills the arena.” Fans can rock out to “Turtle Rock” with Nemo, Dory, Squirt and his rambunctious turtle friends, and fall in love with a musical montage of dazzling prince and princess pairs skating to “At Last I See the Light,” “A Whole New World” and more.

“This particular production is by far the largest Disney On Ice show we currently have touring bringing together everyone’s favourite Disney characters from Snow White, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to Elsa and Anna,” said Producer Nicole Feld. “Our vision is for audiences everywhere to dance and sing along to their favourite Disney songs, so we’ve included 30 tunes that they know and love.”

The production will be heading to The O2 and Wembley Arena and on tour across the UK.

YUMMY MUMMY

Junior Collection Spring/Summer 2019

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or the Spring/Summer 2019, the Emporio Armani junior collection increasingly takes on the brand’s stylistic codes, with shapes, cuts and apparel adapted for kids in a new, original Mini Me line.

The logo is present across the board and can be found in maxi and all-over versions on boys’ sweatshirts, T-shirts and accessories – as well as on girls’ clothes – re-imagined in a playful design for children. Green shades enrich the collection, and are paired with white, blue and black, or rendered in tone-on-tone combinations, contrasting leaf-green and bright, light green. For little girls there is a preference for softer shapes, with linen dresses and outfits in soft pastel colours or stripes, all with a clear nod to the world of the Riviera, which is also referenced through a series of special prints: waves and swimmers for her; ships’ helms, boats and sailor hats for him.

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Special occasion outfits are always a fundamental part of this collection; more unusual shapes have been chosen this year, with wide-leg and palazzo pants for girls, and sporty, comfortable pieces for boys.

The Spring/Summer 2019 Collection sees the debut of the Emporio Armani Manga Bear capsule collection for children: T-shirts for both boys and girls, and a selection of polo shirts, sweaters and shorts for boys, with fun, playful graphics and prints featuring the little cartoon bear already featured in the men’s and women’s collections.

The offering is completed with the Newborn range (0-12 months), composed of onesies, rompers, play suits, hats and bibs with the collection’s fun nautical prints or in fresh and elegant blue-toned linen.

To purchase online visit www.armani.com Also available at Harrods, Selfridges and Childrensalon

“For little girls there is a preference for softer shapes, with linen dresses and outfits in soft pastel colours or stripes”

Crepe dress with all-over heart pattern and jersey top ÂŁ155 Leather sneakers with eagle logo on the back ÂŁ140

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Baseball cap with embossed, embroidered logo £55 Crew neck sweater embroidered logo front and back £135 Shirt £190 Reversible belt with metallic logo buckle £60 Five-pocket trousers in cotton gabardine £90 Sandals £50

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Dress £190 Head tie £70

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Shirt dress outfit in cotton poplin and belt £210 Visor £70

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GIRL Dress £145 Sandals £175 Bag £130 BOY Pure cotton suit with single-breasted jacket £450 Stretch cotton poplin shirt with embroidered logo £95 Reversible belt with metallic logo buckle £60 Leather sneakers with eagle logo on the back £140

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Denim jacket with elasticated logo band £200 Stretch cotton T-shirt with sequined logo £55

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BOY Two-coloured sweatshirt with hood and logo band £120 Fleece shorts with logo bands £110 Leather sneakers with eagle logo on the back £140 GIRL Outfit in jersey with T-shirt and shorts with elasticated logo band £185 Leather sneakers with eagle logo on the back £140

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Denim jacket with elasticated logo band £200 Stretch cotton T-shirt with sequined logo £55 Denim skirt with elasticated logo waistband £145

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Hat ÂŁ70 Flared dress with colourful striped, pleated skirt ÂŁ230

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Nursery Interior Design Tips WORDS: Grace Tindall, founder of Scandibørn

Keep your base neutral The first rule of Scandi styling, keep it simple. Use white or light wood and a colour palette of muted pastels or monochromes as the base. Using these neutral tones means you can add more colourful or graphic accessories in the form of cushions, wall stickers, storage, rugs, mobiles and artwork – items that can easily be changed when the child grows up.

Using simple fabrics for a nursery means you can customise the look as often you like.

Think about how you want it to feel This gives you a great starting point for designing your nursery – do you want it to feel bright, fun, magical, calm or cosy. You can then start to choose your colours, textures and décor items that fit with that theme.

Storage should be plentiful but pretty Toys, bedding, baby equipment, books and numerous knick knacks which come part and parcel of every nursery need a home which isn’t on the floor. We love woven or fabric baskets like those from Olliella, Liewood and Fabelab available at Scandibørn. The Play and Go Lego bags are also perfect for tidying away those small toys in a flash.

A good chair You’ll spend a lot of time in it so make sure it’s comfortable. We opted for an Ikea Rocking chair and then accessorised it with a sheepskin throw and an OYOY lion cushion.

Strategically placed lighting A dimmer switch and a couple of lamps around the room mean you can always control the level of lighting according to the need and during the bedtime routine. If baby wakes during the night, little night lights which are not too bright can easily help you find your way round – we love the little cloud lights perfect for a bedside table and the Giraffe and Elephant from Officina.

Furniture to last Consider furniture which won’t date and grows with your child. Invest in a furniture set that will last for years, look for features like conversions from cot beds to junior beds; Junior beds that become a full adult singles and changing tables that can be converted into a regular chest of drawers.

Add personal touches to make your nursery unique We love‘The Birth Poster’ who make illustrations to scale of your baby at birth, Lala Loves Décor for a personalised name sign or Ingrid Petrie for a family penguin print.

Make shelving a feature A set of shelves in the nursery is not only practical but can easily be transformed into a focal point with a few carefully chosen items. Add photos, books and a few wooden décor items (we’ve curated our favourites from pinch toys, OYOY and Bloomingville). Rose in April, String Shelves or leather strap shelves, are all timeless in design.

Fit for purpose flooring I’d always recommend a hardwood or laminate floor in a nursery, inevitable spillages are much easier and less stressful to handle, especially in the middle of the night! However a rug is a must, it makes it feel more cosy and can also provide a place to play, our World and Adventure rugs fit the bill for most nurseries, if you want something plain then we love the neutral tones of our new Naco diamond rugs.

Work with the space you have Sounds simple but it’s so tempting to get carried away with filling the nursery with ‘stuff ’. If you have a small nursery use light colours and try to limit the amount floor space taken up. Add three tiered shelving (like those from Rose in April), wall hooks which you can hang an outfit from or a storage bag. www.scandiborn.co.uk 2 2 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9

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Stimulating senses and developing young imaginations!

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orrowland Creations is a producer of British luxury Children and Babies Gifts, including Nursery Mobiles, Name Signs and Soft Toys. All items are handmade in a choice of amazing custom colours to suit personalities and room decors and often can be personalised for that extra special touch!

Designer and maker Jo Morrow created the label in 2014 after taking a break from working to raise her 2 young children. Jo has many years experience in the art field, gaining a BA (Hons) in Visual Art and a PGCE in Art & Design before going on to work in schools and a Film Archive.

Once her children began school, Jo longed to be creative again and so began to design her own range of Superhero soft toys to entertain her children. The range was very much inspired by Mother Nature, taking in the amazing colours, patterns and shapes from the garden critters that surround us. So you will find characters in the collection with names that reflect this such as Lady Bug Bug and Flutter Boy. Jo loved the idea of giving each character a little background story and personality which can be found on her website. By hanging them up little mini scenes could be created and with Jo’s passion for colour and love of Felt

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this all fit perfectly with the idea of making Nursery Mobiles from the characters and so Morrowland was created with all the characters born from this little world. Being fun, colourful and cute the Mobiles are perfect for stimulating babies senses and the character stories help to develop young children’s imaginations! They make perfect presents for new arrivals and great baby shower gifts for expectant mums. But Mobiles are not just for babies, they bring a lovely touch of colour and fun to any room and can be great seasonal decorations, they could even become a modern family heirloom!

Today Morrowland Creations collections include Name Signs, Wall Hangings, Soft Toys and Garlands, with many different types of animals and florals present including some mythical beasts such as Dragons and Unicorns! With each design Jo tries to include a dose of quirkiness to help bring a smile to people’s faces!

All items are lovingly handmade from fantastic quality materials including 100% natural wool felt, Mobile frames are made using eco friendly natural woods and toy safe paints. The issue of Toy safety is very important to the business and therefore all Mobiles and Soft Toys are designed and made to meet EU Toy Safety regulations and carry a CE mark, giving you the reassurance that your purchase has been thoughtfully designed with safety in mind.

Check out the collection at Morrowland Creations new website www.morrowlandcreations.co.uk or on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/ MorrowlandCreations

“Jo loved the idea of giving each character a little background story and personality which can be found on her website”

Relax in tranquil rural locations close to the award winning North Cornish resort Bude and its beautiful beaches.

Our range of adult, toddler and child-friendly, self-catering accommodation offers everything you’ll need during your stay.

We’re a small welcoming site, treating our guests as friends and extended family while giving you the space to enjoy your holiday. www.courtfarm-holidays.co.uk 01288 361494

Exquisite handcrafted Nursery Mobiles, Name Signs, Garlands, Wall Hangings and Home Accessories for your Little Stars!

Fill your loved ones with delight by giving them a unique gift that has been handmade with love and care.

Each character has a personality and story behind it, the perfect gift for your child’s developing imagination.

www.etsy.com/shop/morrowlandcreations For more details contact: morrowlandcreations@gmail.com Tel: 07486 876805 Follow on

Made from Toy safe paints, Eco friendly Wood and 100% natural Wool felts.

All items available in a range of customisable colours.

Bringing cute and quirky into your life and dreams!

YUMMY MUMMY

Little Country Cooks Never has there been a time when imaginative and creative play have been so important

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ecent digital and tech advances have completely changed the patterns of our daily lives, leaving a potential void in the development of our children today.

Many children spend more time in front of a screen than most parents are comfortable with, but prizing them away from the latest stream of animated entertainment is no easy task!

The benefits of creative play are well documented, from improving problem solving and cognitive skills, to boosting self-expression and critical thinking, as well as creating new possibilities, negotiating, sharing and taking-turns. Social skills for life!

A return to the more traditional ‘pretend-play’ and creative toys seems more than timely, however, while there are many creative toys available, not all are created equal. Many lose their novelty value quickly or are simply not well made and don’t last.

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“Toys that fire a child’s imagination are an investment in their future” Karen Mazurek - Founder Little Country Cooks

The best creative toys are the ones that kids return to again and again, toys that become part of the household, toys that are built to last a lifetime.

Inspired by simple, natural, traditional toys, Little Country Cooks have created a beautiful handmade cooker. Place it in the kitchen, playroom or bedroom - or even in the garden if the weather permits. Handmade with care, its simple design and stylish organic paint colour options mean it will compliment any room in the home.. It features a magnetic opening cooker door, slow closing lids, internal shelves, a thermometer and an alloy towel rail.

The Little Country Cooks cooker provides hours of imaginative play with friends, siblings, mum and dad or solo. A toy to be passed from child to child for many generations to come.

For all the latest Little Country Cooks news, art icles and offers, visit www.littlecountrycooks.co.uk follow on instagram @littlecountrycooks

Creative tOys fOr imaginative Children

Beautiful Wooden Play Ovens for Children www.littlecountrycooks.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

Seraphine L

The One-Stop-Shop for Maternity Style

oved by Hollywood A-listers & royalty alike, Seraphine is the number one fashion destination for stylish mums-tobe & the preferred maternity brand of the Duchess of Cambridge.

A one-stop-shop for maternity fashion, the brand offers everything an expectant mum might need for her 9 months & beyond.

Summer Dresses Mini, midi or maxi, Seraphine dresses are expertly tailored to grow with you & flatter your changing figure through pregnancy.

Swimwear At the beach or by the pool, this swimwear is designed with you & your bump in mind. Choose from a stylish range of bikinis, tankinis & classic one-pieces.

Occasion Wear Seraphine’s LUXE Collection is a god-send for special occasions with a bump or a new baby glamorous options for baby showers, weddings, christenings & more.

Nursing Styles With you every step of the way, don’t miss Seraphine’s stylish range of nursing clothes. Their iconic Skin to Skin Tops are perfect for bonding with your new baby in those first precious moments & the months after.

Whatever the occasion, the Seraphine collection has got you covered. Pay them a visit in store at Kensington, Marylebone or Battersea or online at seraphine.com.

Visit @seraphinematernity on Instagram for daily fashion inspiration.

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COOL FOR KIDS Holiday season is coming.

Claire Spreadbury

rounds up the sweetest swimmers and sassiest board shorts for beach babies everywhere.

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hether you’re staycationing with the family or have booked and paid for some guaranteed sunshine, the essential new addition to every child’s holiday wardrobe is a swimsuit.

“We’ve definitely seen lots of summer brights this season, and plenty of fishy characters, from mermaids to sea horses and everything in-between,” says Jeni Bolton, head of design at Frugi.

“Our collections have a design story. This season our inspiration is the Isles of Scilly, so our swimwear is filled with seaside brights, ice cream cones, paddling puffins, characterful sea creatures, sharks and comical seagulls.

“We believe children’s swimwear should appeal to children but also be fit for purpose and reassure parents, so it’s great to see so many brands with UPF50+ sun protection ratings. We also use Oeko-Tex approved fabric, which means less chemicals and it’s kinder to children’s skin. Our board shorts are also made from recycled plastic - a small reminder of our ethics in creating sustainable fashion choices.”

Bright and bold, frilly and feminine or perfectly print-tastic, here are some of our seasonal favourites...

Mini Rodini Blue Sea Monster Swim Shorts, £39, AlexandAlexa (alexandalexa.com)

Floral Two-piece Sunsafe Set, from £14; Floral Swimsuit, from £10, both Next (next.co.uk)

Perfect prints All things bright and beautiful All children should be encouraged to wear gorgeously bright colours, before they decide all they really want to wear is black. Dressing them top to toe in prime colours also makes little ones nice and easy to spot of the beach.

Mini Club Crocodile Two-piece Set, £14, Boots (boots.com)

Baker by Ted Baker Girls’ Orange Floral Print Bikini, currently reduced to £22.40 from £28, Debenhams (debenhams.com)

Strawberries Baby Frill Swimsuit, £14, Cath Kidston (cathkidston.com)

We all love a fun print once the weather warms up, and swimwear offers the perfect excuse to inject a little personality. You can even kit the clan out in the same swimmers if you’re into the minime vibe...

Fancy frills Nothing says ‘feeling hot, hot hot’ like a sunny samba frill. Perfectly suited to this season’s swimsuits and bikinis, they really up the cute factor around the pool.

Young Boys Captain America UV Swim Suit, £7.99, Studio (studio.co.uk)

Mini Club Fearne

by Fearne Cotton Swimming Costume, £10, Boots (boots.com)

Kuling Pale Yellow Caorle Pinapple Bikini, £20, AlexandAlexa (alexandalexa.com)

Little Sun Safe Suit, £25, Frugi (welovefrugi.com)

Lipsy Girl Floral Frill Swimsuit, from £14, Next (next.co.uk)

Little Sun Safe Suit, £25, Frugi (welovefrugi.com)

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Mantaray Boys’ Green Jungle Print Swim Shorts, currently reduced to £8.80-£13.60 from £11-£17, Debenhams (debenhams.com)

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Breast Advice

Finding a lump or other abnormality in your breast can be a very worrying time. Sue Milner is the Breast Service Manager at King Edward VII’s Hospital and answers a few common questions: What signs are indicative of breast cancer?

Lumps are the most common, indicative sign of breast cancer but there are many more. Nipple discharge, retracted nipples, dimpling of the skin etc. Anything unusual or a significant change in breast appearance without reasonable explanation could be a cause for concern. Remember to be cautious with examining breast tissue when breast feeding – things may change once you have stopped.

If you have any concerns you should consult your GP immediately.

My breasts have been really tender – is this a cause for concern?

Not always. Breast tenderness may be due to your hormone cycle (cyclical), an ill-fitting bra (noncyclical) or due to strenuous exercise which has affected muscles around the breast (chest wall pain). These are all factors to consider! Of course, persistent pain/tenderness should be further examined.

A few women in my family have had breast cancer – should I get an elective mammogram/ go for further testing?

This is dependent on the family history. Patients need to be given the right guidance before electing to get a mammogram. I.e. is the breast cancer present in the first tier? (mother or grandmother) 3 2 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9

Did said tier get breast cancer before or after menopause? These are all important considerations.

How long does a Mammogram take to perform?

Again, this is very dependent on the patient! I’ve done a mammogram in 5 minutes and I’ve also taken an hour to perform a screening. Every patient is different and requires a different approach.

Ask questions during your mammogram – your radiographer will be more than happy to provide you with information!

Does a mammogram hurt?

That is really dependant on patient sensitivity. It may be slightly uncomfortable but it shouldn’t be painful.

It’s important to explain the process to the patient as this helps ease discomfort. Often women think their breasts will be completely ‘squished’ or ‘flattened’.

The breasts are firmly compressed when undertaking a mammogram, not just to see the tissue but to also to reduce the radiation exposure the patient.

What happens if I need further testing?

At King Edward VII’s Hospital we offer a one-stop clinic. This starts with the mammogram; if there is cause for concern an ultrasound will be performed.

From there a biopsy will be taken to be examined. www.kingedwardvii.co.uk

“Breast tenderness may be due to your hormone cycle (cyclical), an ill-fitting bra (non-cyclical) or due to strenuous exercise which has affected muscles around the breast (chest wall pain)”

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Urgent Care Centre at The Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth

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he urgent care centre within Casualty First at The Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth ensures that patients and families receive first class care 7 days a week, from 8am-8pm.

The Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth set up Casualty First 5 years ago. Andre Van Nierop, Clinical Lead at Casualty First comments, “The urgent care centre is truly unique in that our team of A+E Doctors provide care for adults and children from the age of one year, we see patients instantly and provide diagnosis and treatment on the same day. I’m proud to say that our average waiting time in now only 8 minutes!”

“Putting patients’ needs first, Casualty First provides an ease of access to treatment that is essential when you are juggling a busy schedule, Andre explains “The urgent care centre is a fantastic facility for people to access our first class care, with no waiting time and the option to receive treatment on the same day or at a convenient time. We often refer patients to see a specialist Consultant or receive imaging and diagnostics on site, in the state of the art hospital facilities” “We have seen patients come in with minor complaints, where after our investigation we have diagnosed serious conditions and been able to

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“We see patients instantly and provide diagnosis and treatment on the same day. I’m proud to say that our average waiting time in now only 8 minutes!”

refer next or same day treatment, which in some cases has potentially been life-saving due to early diagnosis. It is so rewarding to see the difference that it makes.”

“A large amount of the patients we see are children, we provide treatment from the age of one and our child friendly waiting area and consulting rooms disperse any anxiety the kids might have from seeing a doctor. I see worried and concerned parents come in to see us who within minutes are able to see a doctor and the children, and their parents, are smiling and laughing again.”

Visit Casualty First Located at the entrance of the world famous Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in London, Casualty First is a self pay service with treatment available for all the family, including children from the age of one year. The experienced A&E doctors treat all minor accidents, injuries and illnesses.

If you think you are having a heart attack, stroke or have serious head injuries please phone 999 or go to A&E. www.casualtyfirst.co.uk Tel: 0207 432 8300; Open 8am – 8pm everyday 60 Grove End Road, London, NW8 9NH

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WHEN TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S RASH Notice a rash on your little one? These skin rashes can appear almost out of nowhere. Dr Alya Abdul-Wahab a Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist at Parkside Private Hospital, gives advice on different rashes in children and when to be concerned.

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r Alya AbdulWahab completed her training and fellowship at the world renowned St John’s Institute of Dermatology in London and is a member of the British Association of Dermatology, British Society of Paediatric Dermatology, Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Medicine.

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My child has woken up with a rash – should I call my doctor?

Both in my role as a paediatric dermatologist and a mother of two small children, I see rashes in children on a regular basis. Children get all types of rashes and the majority of times these are harmless and transient, however the most important factor is whether your child is well or unwell. This is generally very easy to work out and I would advocate trusting your mother’s instinct on this one. If your child is out of sorts, pale, sleepy or feverish do not delay in getting a medical opinion – call the 24 hour NHS service 111 if you are worried or arrange an urgent GP consultation on the day. The most worrying rash that we all know about is a purplish rash that does not blanch when rolling a glass over it – a sign of purpura – which is a feature of potential Meningococcal Septicaemia. However don’t ignore any other rashes in the context of a child who is not themselves, feverish and drowsy. Trust your gut instinct!

My child has woken up with a rash – they look otherwise fine, what could it be?

The most common cause for an acute rash in a child would tend to be a brewing viral infection. These are “exanthems” in medical terms and tend to look like a spotty, blanching red rash starting around the chest area and spreading downwards. These rashes would blanch on pressure and tend not to cause much in the way of symptoms. Your child may also have a low grade temperature and a runny nose or sore throat and this type of rash would usually fade over a few days.

Other acute rashes which bring parents to my clinic would be rashes called urticaria also known as “hives”. This type of rash is very common, and is one of the few rashes that can come and go within 24 hours without leaving a mark on the skin. The skin would appear red, swollen and with a characteristic pallor around the edge. This can be itchy and your child may complain of burning.

These rashes can occur after a viral infection or may be a sign of an allergic reaction. If your child also has any facial or lip swelling, or difficulty breathing,

this may be a severe type of allergic reaction or anaphylaxis which requires urgent medical attention.

For urticarial rashes occurring on their own in a well child it would be reasonable to try some non-sedating antihistamines, such as Cetirizine which are available over the counter.

In general I would advise for you to seek a medical opinion if any rashes are not resolving within a few days. For rashes that are transient and come and go, it is always helpful to take and store photographs on your phone to show your doctor.

My child’s rash has been going on for ages and is very itchy – is this eczema? Do I need to take them to a doctor?

The majority of rashes that are persistent and itchy in childhood tend to be edematous rashes. Eczema or atopic dermatitis (the terms are interchangeable) affects more than 20% of children in the UK and is characterised by a persistent, itchy rash usually in the skin folds. In babies eczema tends to favour the cheeks, legs and arms rather than the skin creases.

The rash would feel rough if you were to run your fingers over it and the main symptom is itching – if it’s not itchy it’s not eczema! Eczema is a manageable condition and I would strongly advise for you to obtain a medical opinion both for diagnosis and support.

The severity of your child’s eczema is graded not only by how red and itchy the skin is, but also as to whether it is affecting your child’s sleep. An early opinion and treatment plan would save countless sleepless nights not only for your child but for your whole family.

How can you tell whether the rash is related to a food allergy?

This is by the far the most common concern amongst parents of young children with eczema and skin conditions. In general, food allergies tend to be more common in children under 5 years of age.

Food allergies would usually appear like “hives” or itchy rashes occurring within a short period of time, usually a half an hour after eating that particular food and would be very obvious. Delayed reactions can be more difficult to work out, and whilst waiting for your consultation it’s always valuable to keep a food diary to track your child’s foods in relation to symptoms to show your doctor and avoid excluding foods unnecessarily.

To book a appointment call: 020 8971 8026 or Email: info@parksidehospital.co.uk www.parkside-hospital.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

Childhood immunisations letting a good story get in the way of the facts?

I t is hard enough managing poorly little ones knowing that the illness affecting them is often just an unfortunate case of bad luck. If your little ones have started nursery or school then you’ll know all too well about the coughs and colds that do the rounds. However, when the illness is more serious and something that could have been easily prevented, such as by being immunised, it is even more difficult.

Here Dr Ed Abrahamson, a Consultant Paediatrician at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, gives us his thoughts on childhood immunisations. Ed was named one of the top 100 children’s doctors in the UK by The Times a few years ago.

Ed says: “If a child doesn’t get immunised and then goes on to catch the disease the distress that child goes through is completely unnecessary. And they can’t choose.”

Ed told us that falling rates in the MMR vaccine - a single injection that protects against 3 separate illnesses; measles, mumps and rubella - has been named by the World Health Organisation as one of the top 10 threats to global health.

“And measles continues to be a real and present risk, locally. As the disease spreads more widely, those who are not yet old enough for the vaccine can catch it. We are now seeing babies with measles.”

In this country, mums have the right to choose whether or not to immunise their little ones. So it’s important that you are well informed when making this important decision. This is why the advice of an expert like Ed can be helpful.

“Childhood immunisations work. Prior to 1968 when the first measles vaccine was introduced, there were approximately 400,000 measles cases annually in the UK and 100-150 deaths. In 2017 there were just 250 cases. However, this quadrupled last year to 1000.”

“In Madagascar MMR vaccine rates are just 57%.

Unfortunately this has led to 1200 deaths from measles since September, mostly children. Poverty of course is a factor, but the message is clear.

Fortunately, unlike Madagascar, every child in the UK has the opportunity to get MMR.” “For Meningococcal C there were 1000 cases in the UK the year before the vaccine was introduced in 1999, and 78 deaths, in addition to many being left with limb loss and other deformities. The disease is now all but eradicated.”

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Ed advises against reading things online or looking to social media for guidance.

This is because there can be a lot of misinformation - or ‘fake news’ - out there when it comes to immunisations.

“As to the myths, well for MMR it is simple. It does not cause autism. The UK based paper in 1988 suggesting a link was proven to be fake. The main author was struck off the medical register.”

“Very many studies have since found no link. The latest study just published a few months ago, and the largest ever, followed 657,461 children from birth in Denmark. 6,517 were diagnosed with autism over the next decade. There was no increased risk between those who received the MMR vaccine compared with those who had not.”

“Other concerns about vaccines are equally false, for example, the alcohol, thiomersal, formaldehyde or aluminium contents found in some. These only appear in minute quantities, far less than we are exposed to every day from the environment, the food chain and even household furnishings. There is nothing to see here.”

“Childhood immunisations work, they prevent serious illness and save lives. And are safe.”

For more information, visit bupacromwellhospital.com/skyline

“As to the myths, well for MMR it is simple. It does not cause autism. The UK based paper in 1988 suggesting a link was proven to be fake. The main author was struck off the medical register.”

Dr Ed Abrahamson Consultant Paediatrician Bupa Cromwell Hospital

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YUMMY MUMMY

Dealing with hay fever

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ay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is very common and affects about 1 in 5 people in the UK. It is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen.

Here Dr Jamal Karwan, a GP at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, answers questions about this unwelcomed seasonal visitor.

Pollen is an allergen (the substances that can cause an allergic reaction) and is carried in the air during spring, summer and sometimes autumn. Hay fever symptoms tend to occur at the same time, or in the same season, each year.

You or your child may be allergic to one or more types of pollen. This will determine when your symptoms are most severe.

Allergen and time of year when symptoms are worst • Tree pollen - Spring • Grass pollen - End of spring and beginning of summer • Weeds - Early spring to late autumn What are the symptoms of hay fever?

• Sneezing • A blocked or runny nose • Itchy eyes, nose, throat and roof of your mouth • Red or watery eyes • Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down your throat from the back of your nose) – this might make you cough • Headache, caused by a stuffy nose • Fatigue • Asthma symptoms such as wheeze and breathlessness These symptoms can make it difficult to concentrate or sleep well.

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How is hay fever diagnosed?

I generally make a diagnosis based on the symptoms and the patient’s medical history. Symptoms typically arise within minutes of allergen exposure and may last for a couple of hours.

Analysing when symptoms start, and whether there are factors that precede their onset, may help to identify triggers.

What are the most effective treatment and management options for hay fever?

Avoiding allergic triggers (pollens, moulds, house dust mite etc.)

It is impossible to totally avoid pollen, but symptoms tend to be less severe if you reduce your exposure to pollen.

The pollen count is the average number of pollen grains in one cubic metre of air over 24 hours. There are pollen counts for grass, tree and weed pollen, and fungal spores. It is classed as low, moderate, high or very high.

Treatments that suppress the symptoms include: Antihistamines taken by mouth usually reduce sneezing and a runny nose, but may not help as much with a blocked nose. A dose usually works within an hour.

Antihistamine nasal sprays can quickly ease itching, sneezing and watering but may not be so good at easing congestion.

Steroid nasal sprays can improve all nasal symptoms, such as sneezing and a blocked nose, as well as helping to ease eye symptoms. A steroid spray may take some time before it starts to work

however, so needs to be used for at least two weeks before symptoms usually start and then every day during the hay fever season.

Decongestant nasal sprays can be useful for additional relief of congestion but should not be used regularly because after a few days’ use they can actually make symptoms worse.

Eye drops with sodium cromoglicate usually work well for itchy or sore eyes and are available without a prescription.

If you are taking hay fever medication regularly and your symptoms are well controlled, you should continue this treatment until the end of the pollen season.

How should severe symptoms be managed and treated?

Steroid tablets can be prescribed on rare occasions for severe symptoms which are not eased by other treatments. They shouldn’t be taken for long periods however, as they can cause serious side effects.

If all else fails, I may refer a patient to an allergy specialist, who may offer immunotherapy. This involves being given doses of the pollen you’re allergic to over three years. It helps ‘reset’ your immune system so it no longer thinks the specific allergen you’re allergic to is a threat.

Please be aware that some medications are not suitable for younger children so it is important you discuss these with your GP. For more information, visit bupacromwellhospital.com

YUMMY MUMMY

Focus on…

Preventative Health Screening.

peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Continuing the series of healthcare articles, Dr Angela Rai of The London General Practice discusses the benefits of Health Screening.

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ealth Screening, as part of a preventative package, is a recognised part of modern medicine. Advances in technology and medical science mean that signs of disease or other health issues can be detected much earlier than before, so that action can be taken at an early stage with the potential opportunity to improve quality of life and future outcome.

“Health screening can reveal changes which if implemented could result in positive impacts on health and wellbeing” To get the most from health screening it is recommended that the package is tailored to the individual, taking into account family history, personal medical history, gender and age.

It is also important to avoid ‘over testing’ or undertaking screens when there is no clinical indication for concern.

Common causes of future health problems include lifestyle and family history, and health screening can reveal changes which if implemented could result in positive impacts on health and wellbeing.

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Health screens now assist in identifying, diagnosing and treating people who show symptoms of memory or cognitive impairment.

A combined, Healthy Mind - Healthy Body Assessment is likely to be suitable for anyone who has concerns about their wellness or memory, and in particular anyone: • experiencing memory difficulties and who wishes to understand the reason for this.

• who is concerned about a family history of memory issues • seeking to check their current health status, or get advice regarding a general issue with their health.

The package includes an examination with a medical consultant who is a recognised cognitive expert and a set of investigations designed to identify a wide range of possible causes of memory difficulties.

This service responds to the knowledge that early diagnosis and access to the best treatments for memory and other cognitive symptoms significantly improves clinical outcomes. Figures show that it is possible to reduce the risk of dementia by up to 30% by controlling other risk factors, such as blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cholesterol.

THE DETAILS

The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: 0207 935 1000

The London General Practice undertakes a wide range of health screens for all ages and requirements.

If you would like to enquire about health screening then please contact the Practice on 0207 935 1000

YUMMY MUMMY

Most parents don’t know how to look after their children’s smile. Do YOU?

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ental cavities may seem like a normal part of life. The NHS figures show more than 45,000 hospital operations to remove teeth from teenagers and children in 2017/18 - a rise of 18 per cent since 2012/2013.This is a sad statistics, but this pain and discomfort can be prevented by daily brushing, flossing, healthy diet and by the use of fissure sealants.

Pay attention to daily brushing • First, choosing the right toothbrush is essential for removing decay-causing plaque. At Happy Kids Dental we recommend to use a manual toothbrush with extra soft bristles for 4-36 month old children and an electric toothbrush for older children.

• Second, use a toothpaste with fluoride, it is proven to make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay.

For under 3 year old children use a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1000ppm fluoride. For 3-6 years old children use a peasized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1000ppm fluoride. For children over 6 use regular toothpaste, containing around 1350-1500ppm fluoride.

• Third, you should brush your child’s teeth for them for two minutes, twice a day. When they can tie their own shoelaces, they have the dexterity to brush by themselves (usually around the age of 7) but you should supervise them for the whole two minutes!

Choose healthy snacks Sugar is the biggest culprit when it comes to dental decay, so choosing the right drinks and snacks is crucial. We recommend water as the best drink for kids. Alternatively, natural juice can be given, ideally diluted with water, to reduce its natural sugar content. For snacking opt for fresh vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, celery. Cheese is also a toothfriendly snack, but go for harder cheeses that won’t stick to children’s teeth.

Consider fissure sealants Dental decay is most likely to develop on your child’s molars when they first erupt at the age of 6yrs. Their surface is not fully mineralised yet and is has lots of grooves and deep pits that are called fissures. These fissures are usually so narrow that toothbrush bristles are not able to clean them properly, this allows for bacteria to flourish and 4 4 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9

“Sugar is the biggest culprit when it comes to dental decay, so choosing the right drinks and snacks is crucial”

decay to form.

Fissure Sealants were first introduced in the USA in the late 60s and are widely recognised as the greatest advancement in the field of Preventive Dentistry, reducing the probability of tooth decay by 80%! The procedure involves an application of a thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, creating a smoother surface. It helps to prevent food or bacteria from getting trapped ultimately prevents cavities from forming. This procedure is technique sensitive, so it is important to see the paediatric dentist who has extensive experience with children’s teeth.

There is no set age to get fissure sealants, as a guideline though, fissure sealants should be applied around the age of 6, when adult teeth are erupting.

With a life expectancy 80-90 years, it is important to remember that those adult teeth need to be healthy for at least 80years, thus investing in their long-term health makes a lot of sense.

Prevention lies at the heart of Happy Kids Dental, the team has adopted a variety of playful initiatives to engage children with oral hygiene, such as Toothbrushing academy and theatre shows for local schools. Supporting children as they grow with the best possible care, is the key to a lifetime of happy smiles. www.happykidsdental.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

We talked to Claire Magee, MD of Nannycare, to find out more about their goat milk-based Follow on formula for babies.

What is the ethos of the Nannycare brand?

Our philosophy is to choose pure, whole goat milk which we believe is an excellent protein base in Follow on formula, retaining as far as possible the natural goodness and qualities in our goat milk, supplementing only as needed to meet regulatory requirements. Nannycare is simply made, minimising unnecessary ingredients which may put a burden on the infant’s metabolism.

Our successful track record, combined with care and passion for our products, stretches back over 27 years in the UK. Is goat milk-based Follow on formula safe and approved?

Following an extensive clinical trial with the Nannycare formulation and submissions to the European Food Safety Authority, we are proud to say that, since March 2014, goat milk formula is recognised under EU and UK legislation as a nutritionally equivalent alternative to cow’s milkbased formula**. This means that Nannycare Follow on can be used in the same way as its cow’s milk equivalent, is just as safe and suitable for your baby and has a mild and creamy taste that babies love.

What’s the difference between cow’s milk and goat milk-based Follow on formulas?

Nutritionally both formulas are equal, and parents can choose between either milk if they wish to move on from, or complement, breast feeding. In cases of a baby not settling on cow’s milk formula with minor feeding issues such as crying, colic or reflux, it may be worth trying a goat milk-based Follow on as an alternative, although you should always consult with your healthcare professional before switching. It is also important to note that a goat milk-based formula should not be given to infants with cow’s milk protein allergy, unless directed by a healthcare professional.

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“Nutritionally both cow’s milk and goat milk-based Follow on formulas are equal, and parents can choose between either milk if they wish to move on from, or complement, breastfeeding”

Where can I buy Nannycare Follow on formula?

Nannycare is now available in many branches of Boots and major supermarkets.

We have a freephone Careline to help with any questions or to find a stockist in your area.

Careline UK: 0800 328 5826 ROI: 1800 937 375 E: enquiry@nannycare.co.uk www.nannycare.co.uk Important notice: Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits for you and your baby. It is important that you eat a healthy, balanced diet in preparation for and during breastfeeding. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breastmilk.

If for any reason you choose not to breastfeed, remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse. Using infant formula also has social and financial implications which must be considered. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label, in order to avoid risks to a baby’s health. **Directive 2006/141 (EC) and equivalent UK legislation

YUMMY MUMMY

Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School announces its opening in September 2020

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estled in the heart of Kensington, a stone’s throw from some of London’s most acclaimed institutions, Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School for children 3-11, is due to open its doors in September 2020.

Jill Walker, Headmistress, told Life Magazines about their exciting plans to renovate four Georgian townhouses at 10-13 Prince’s Gardens.

State-of-the-art science laboratories, music and art studios and an amazing ‘maker space’ are some of the innovative redevelopments underway for the project; highlighting the school’s commitment to academic excellence and character development.

The school will also have direct access to both a wonderful garden space to the rear and Hyde Park, surrounded by inspirational Exhibition Road.

It demonstrates the emphasis of the school’s teachers for nurturing a global perspective in

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their pupils and preparing them for the exciting challenges that life can offer through a myriad of activities.

Jill Walker said: “This is such a tremendous opportunity, which places the school firmly in the academic hub of London. We want our pupils to relish all that school life has to offer so that they leave us confident and excited about their future.”

The rigorous and wide-ranging curriculum draws on the school’s access to London’s museums and outdoor spaces which serve as fantastic stimuli for collaborative learning projects and creating the next generation of independent, curious children.

Due to the scope of the project and building renovations over the forthcoming months, Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School will open its doors in September 2020.

Details about the plans will be held at a launch event on Thursday 27th June at 7pm at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA. See the school website here:princesgardensprep.co.uk/London

“This is such a tremendous opportunity, which places the school firmly in the academic hub of London”

YUMMY MUMMY

OPTIMUS LAUDUM With ‘Felices Erimus’ as its motto, happiness is at the heart of the philosophy at St John’s Wood Pre-Preparatory School and it works

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ducating 3-7 year-old boys and girls in a friendly and caring environment for over 35 years is its strength.

Principal & Proprietor Adrian Ellis believes that the excellent ratio of staff to pupils allows each child to reach their full potential. “Of course, together with parents, we look to recognise each child’s unique qualities and particular talents and aim to develop them as fully as possible,” says Mr Ellis. “We want our children to move on to the right schools for them. As a result, St John’s Wood Pre-Preparatory has been since 1982 a ‘feeder’ to many of London’s top preparatory schools, including St Paul’s Juniors, Highgate, South Hampstead High School, University College School and Westminster Under School.

“The sense of a whole-school community is evident in this small school, we become an extension of home and family” adds Mr Ellis. Size matters to St John’s Wood Pre-Prep. By limiting

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its numbers, most children know the rest of their fellow pupils throughout the school – an important element in building confidence and developing social skills.”

There is never a time when prospective parents aren’t welcome and there are frequent tours bookable via the website.

Latest Leavers List: The Year 2 class of 11 pupils joined the following schools in September 2018: 2 girls to City of London School for Girls and 1 girl to South Hampstead High School, 2 Boys to St Paul’s Juniors; 2 boys to Westminster Under School; 4 boys to University College School For more details visit www.sjwpre-prep.org.uk Tel 020 7722 7149 or email info@sjwpre-prep.org.uk. St John’s Hall, Lord’s Roundabout, London, NW8 7NE

“We want our children to move on to the right schools for them. As a result, St John’s Wood Pre-Preparatory has been since 1982 a ‘feeder’ to many of London’s top preparatory schools”

summer fun guide

– Get out and about with the kids this summer for great family fun– I M A G E : t he y u mmy m u mmy g u i d e to s u mmer c amps

YUMMY MUMMY

AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY A magical place where family memories are made

THE DETAILS Audley End Miniature Railway is open every weekend (from the end of March to end of September) and everyday during the school holidays. Also open for Christmas running www.audley-end-railway.co.uk Tel: 01799 510726, Email: enquiries@aemr.co.uk Audley End Miniature Railway Audley End Road Audley End, Saffron Walden Essex CB11 4JB www.facebook.com/ AudleyEndMiniatureRailway www.instagram.com/ audleyendminiaturerailway www.twitter.com/AudleyEndMR

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here’s something magical happening at Audley End Miniature Railway this summer! The resident fairies and elves are getting very excited to welcome guests to their annual Summer Festival – an activity-packed event that runs everyday throughout the summer holidays and is sure to inspire wonder and awe in all ages.

But it’s not just the summer months where the magic comes alive! Audley End Miniature Railway hosts regular enchanting events throughout the year, in addition to the main attraction, it’s famous miniature steam railway.

Built by Lord Baybrooke, the Audley End Miniature Railway was opened to the public in 1964 by racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss.

The railway runs for a mile and a half through the stunning Audley End Estate woodlands that were designed by eighteenth century landscape architect, Capability Brown.

Taking a ride behind one of the the steam or diesel engines is a real highlight, designed to enchant as you whoosh through the forest looking out for wildlife and the various teddy bears and fairies and elves that live amongst the trees. Try and spot all of the animals and features on the Woodland I Spy Sheet and you might even see a Pill Box from the Second World War, cross the River Cam and travel through hidden tunnels!

Back at the picnic fields there is an array of activities to get involved in, led by our resident magical characters. Your little ones can get into character with colourful face painting, be enchanted by our spellbinding storytellers, roll up their sleeves in our crafting tent or get energetic in our Games area.

The Station Gift Shop stocks lots of fairy and train goodies for the perfect take-home souvenir and, whilst you are very welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in our Picnic Field, our Signal Box Café

serves an array of delicious, home-made, locallysourced hot and cold food and drink.

Audley End Miniature Railway is all about wholesome family fun. There is not a special occasion that goes by without being celebrated with our own particular sprinkling of magic and fun!

Whether it’s our springtime Pirate and Mermaid Festival for mini seafarers in the making, a spooky Halloween Tour or our truly magical Christmas Experience, a trip to Audley End Miniature Railway is a place not to be forgotten – where family memories are made.

And for the ultimate special occasion, Audley End Miniature Railway hosts Fairy and Elf or Train themed birthday parties, which are sure to make your little one’s special day even more perfect.

d e n g cod s for kE sin cket EE ne u e ti W onli pric g th alf ly!

In 13 e h t Ju n July ceiv 21s PE ore re or O k bef 50 to 20th o R Bo ME M SU

MAKE IT A SUMMER TO REMEMBER AT

Jam-packed with magical fun and wonder for all the family, this spectacular summer-long festival offers everything to ensure a day full of activities and excitement for all ages.

The Summer Festival runs everyday from 20th July to 8th September 2019.

Ticket Price: £11 per person, 0-24 Months go free

SUMMER PASS Just £20 per person (0-24 months and carers FREE) which can be used for up to 3 months from 1st June 2019 giving unlimited access onto site.

Jools Oliver: “Audley End Railway is a beautiful, enchanting wonderland for children and adults alike. I have been going there since I was a little girl with my family and it’s so wonderful to be able to take our children to experience childhood at its most magical”

www.audley-end-railway.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

Phil McIntyre Live proudly presents

DAVID WALLIAMS’ GRANDPA’S GREAT ESCAPE LIVE 2019 UK Arena Tour. Tickets on sale now!

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he first ever stage adaptation of Grandpa’s Great Escape, the exhilarating number one bestselling children’s book by actor and comedian David Walliams, is to tour UK arenas this Christmas. The live version of the kids’ favourite, which has sold over two million copies around the world begins in Birmingham on 23 December. It will then visit London, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow before culminating in Liverpool on 4 January.

Tickets go on sale at 8am on Tuesday 4 June.

Grandpa’s Great Escape Live follows the acclaimed television film which aired on BBC One in December 2018, and will be directed by Tony® Award nominee Sean Foley (The Catherine Tate Show Live & The Painkiller). Grandpa’s Great Escape is the eighth book by Walliams and was published in September 2015 by HarperCollins Children’s Books.

David Walliams said: “Grandpa’s Great Escape Live is an incredible new development for the book.

We’re not just turning it into a live show, but into a spectacular live arena show for all the family this Christmas. Being in arenas means we can have a life-size Spitfire, a tank, the London landscape and a dramatic escape from the Imperial War Museum.

It’s great because we can really go to town with

all of those elements and this story demands that scale. I’m delighted to be involved with this arena tour of Grandpa’s Great Escape Live, working with fantastic people like the director Sean Foley and Kevin Cecil, who’s written the script. I couldn’t be more excited about it!”

The wonderous stage design for Grandpa’s Great Escape Live will see arenas around the UK transformed into London and its landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and the River Thames, from thousands of feet in the sky, as Grandpa’s life size Spitfire soars through the air. The set for this multi-million pound production has been created by entertainment architects Stufish Productions (Cirque du Soleil, Beyonce & Jay Z, Madonna, The Rolling Stones). The script adaptation of the book has been written by Kevin Cecil (Little Britain & Gangsta Granny television film). Casting for the show will be announced soon.

Grandpa’s Great Escape, which has been translated into 39 languages received a wealth of glowing reviews with the Evening Standard declaring Walliams as “the new Roald Dahl”, while The Times describe the story as “a beguilingly funny, original and thought-provoking tale… hilarious”.

Many years ago, Grandpa was a World War II flying ace. But when he is sent to old folk’s home Twilight Towers – run by sinister Matron Swine – it’s up to Grandpa and his grandson, Jack, to plot a daring escape. Little do they know, the wicked matron is on to them.

Grandpa’s Great Escape Live 2019 UK Tour Monday 23 December Birmingham: Arena Birmingham 4pm & pm Tuesday 24 December Birmingham: Arena Birmingham 1pm & 4pm Thursday 26 December Birmingham: Arena Birmingham 4pm & 7pm Friday 27 December London: The SSE Arena, Wembley 4pm & 7pm Saturday 28 December London: The SSE Arena, Wembley 4pm & 7pm Sunday 29 December Sheffield: FlyDSA Arena 4pm & 7pm Monday 30 December Nottingham: Motorpoint Arena 4pm & 7pm Wednesday 1 January Manchester: Arena 4pm & 7pm Thursday 2 January Newcastle: Utilita Arena 4pm & 7pm Friday 3 January Glasgow: The SSE Hydro 4pm & 7pm Saturday 4 January Liverpool: M&S Bank Arena 4pm & 7pm

Listings Information Tickets from: £25 plus venue levy and booking fees www.grandpasgreatescapelive.co.uk Facebook: @GrandpaEscape Twitter: @GrandpaEscape Instagram: @GrandpaEscape Photography: Trevor Leighton

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YUMMY MUMMY

the yummy mummy guide to

summer camps

“Summer Camp is an exciting opportunity for letting your child run free in a safe and monitored environment�

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ith the school summer holidays just around the corner, you may be looking to enrol your children in a summer camp. While they have been around for more than a century in the USA, their popularity in the UK has only started rising over the last four decades.

Summer Camp is an exciting opportunity for letting your child run free in a safe and monitored environment.

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They come in different forms, from drama schools and arts & crafts, to water sporting and horse riding They can feed their interests, develop their talents, build their confidence and self-esteem, make friends, learn social skills and team building‌. and get plenty of exercise!

There are many Summer Camps in the UK if you feel safer having your child within reach, but there are many others in Europe as well as the US, if you want to encourage them to broaden their horizons.

Selecting a summer camp can be almost as challenging as choosing a school: Does distance matter? What are the camp’s philosophies? Does it offer activities my child will enjoy? A number of independent schools run summer camps and academies – and in some instances are open to non-pupils.

With so many outdoor activities on offer, it is important that you look for providers that are licensed by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (bit.ly/camp safety), monitored by Ofsted (ofsted.gov.uk) or accredited by BAPA. Most providers have comprehensive websites with information on staff training, campers-to-staff ratios (which should be about 10 to 1 for children aged eight to 14), and staff CRB checks. For peace of mind, ask if staff have first-aid qualifications, if the camp is in contact with local doctors and hospitals, and what insurance policies are in place.

Packing your child off into the unknown can be hard. Help by taking a positive approach yourself.

You can’t run and get them as soon as there’s a problem; it can require a little tough love. Parenting is about giving children roots and the ability to fly – and camp provides both in a stable environment.

That noted, the decision to go should always be the child’s, and while parents can encourage, they should never push.

Remember that summer camps are designed with children of all types in mind. Most partner them with a grown-up who will make sure they brush their teeth, tuck them into bed every night and give them a hug if they’re homesick. If you want to speak to your child while they’re away, check camp policy. Some frown on mobiles, so you’re unlikely to

“Remember that summer camps are designed with children of all types in mind”

be texting during the day. Calls may be restricted to certain times.

Search for a camp that is well established with a track record that speaks for itself. Experienced camps know how to get it right so that kids can’t wait to go back again next year!

If you want to find out more from an independent organisation, you can get in touch with Camp Experts UK. The company offer a free advisory service for choosing a summer camp at home or abroad. It represents over 1000 programmes (100 in the UK), such as academic, sport and language-based camps. www.campexperts.co.uk Summer camps are FUN FUN FUN for your children, providing them with great memories to share with their friends.

And a worry-free zone for you!

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YUMMY MUMMY

Family holiday survival tips

From navigating airports to relaxing in the resort, Sarah Marshall reveals how to make sure your break is stress-free

ons make it easier to take them on and off when leaving your seat.

9. Pack items to keep the kids entertained throughout the flight; snacks, books, pencils and paper, playing cards, travel games. Get them to draw a picture of the aircraft for the crew!

10. Bottles, baby food and nappies are available on Thomas Cook’s long haul-flights on request, and subject to availability.

Surviving the airport 1. Most families don’t realise you can take your buggy through right through security to the departure gate. Airline staff will take it from you just before boarding and return it when you arrive at your destination.

2. Ask restaurants in departures about warming milk. Many will do this free of charge, and in hot water, rather than using a microwave.

3. Most UK airports have baby changing facilities, and some also have dedicated areas for breastfeeding. One example of this is Terminal One at Manchester Airport, where the family can stay with mum or enjoy the kids’ TV area located opposite.

4. You can pre-order milk or medication for collection in Boots stores in UK airports that are located after security.

Surviving the flight 5. To help children feel grown-up and that the flight will be an adventure, let them take their own special case on the plane as hand luggage, for some of their favourite toys and holiday essentials.

6. Take the kids to the toilet just before boarding to avoid inevitable requests to go when the seatbelt sign is still on after take-off.

7. Pack a change of clothes and some wipes in your hand luggage, so that you’re ready for anything.

8. Always wear shoes when going to the toilet. Slip6 0 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9

Surviving the holiday 11. Don’t forget to pack a high-factor sunscreen and sun hats to make sure all the family is safe in the sun.

12. Encourage your kids to keep a travel journal about their new experiences, what they see and new foods they try, to look back on when they’re older.

13. Make sure the kids eat regular meals on holiday to avoid overloading on ice-cream.

14. Where possible, keep to routines the kids are used to for feeding, napping and bedtime stories, especially for babies and younger kids, and to avoid ending up with hungry and overtired kids.

15. Make use of Thomas Cook’s Easy Check-in service, where you check-in for your return flight at your hotel. Available in 22 hotels this summer, it gives families more time to enjoy their last day and avoids queues at the airport when you can go straight to security.

“Don’t forget to pack a high-factor sunscreen and sun hats to make sure all the family is safe in the sun”

Summer with the family A s the weather warms up Cornwall is just the perfect place to spend some quality time with all the family and explore the stunning coast and beaches.

With spacious 2-room suites, indoor and outdoor pools and lots of activities Sands Resort Hotel on Cornwall’s North Coast is the ideal base for your Family Adventure.

For babies and toddlers, they also have all the equipment you couldn’t fit in your car, for free hire.

Think cots, buggies, highchairs, bottle warmers, bottle sterilisers and even windbreaks, buckets and spades.

Parents can enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa whilst the little ones are making the most of the complimentary creche sessions offered at Sands Resort. In the evening you and your other half can catch up over a cool drink whilst taking advantage of the free baby listening service.

Porth Beach is just a short 5 – 10-minute walk from the hotel whilst Watergate Bay is a 5-minute drive. Family attractions like the Blue Reef Aquarium or the famous Eden Project can all be easily reached by car.

Book your Summer Break at Sands Resort Hotel from £58 per adult, per night. Children discounts apply according to age. www.sandsresort.co.uk

Children love discovering the enchanted Maze, conquering the Pirate ship or taking advantage of the free body boards and wetsuits hire. Don’t worry about rainy days, with a fabulous entertainment programme (during school holidays) including clowns, magicians and silent disco as well as the indoor playground and soft play, there is always plenty to do.

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YUMMY MUMMY

STEP INTO GRINGOTTS WIZARDING BANK at WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON – THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER

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or the first time ever at Warner Bros.

Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, visitors can enter the set of Gringotts Wizarding Bank allowing fans to walk through the main banking hall just like Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Lined by towering marble pillars, the grand banking hall is decorated with magnificent crystal chandeliers and finished with real brass leaf.

Inkwells, quills, ledgers and piles of Galleons, Sickles and Knuts complete the goblin tellers’ desks as seen on screen.

From Harry Potter first discovering Diagon Alley to the famous trio escaping on a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon in their quest for a Horcrux, Gringotts Wizarding Bank played an important role in the Harry Potter film series.

Officially opened on Saturday 6th April as a permanent addition, the 16,500sqft Gringotts Wizarding Bank expansion is the Studio Tour’s biggest

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addition to date and has been designed and built by many of the original crew members who worked on the hugely successful magical film series including Oscar® and BAFTA winning Production Designer Stuart Craig, Construction Manager Paul Hayes and Head Propmaker Pierre Bohanna. The Propmaking Department, led by Pierre Bohanna, created over 210,000 coins for the final two films alone.

The Gringotts Wizarding Bank is famously run by goblins and the expansion starts with a gallery dedicated to the prosthetics, costume and artistry that brought the creatures to life. Visitors will discover those belonging to Bogrod, Griphook and many other goblin bankers. Each prosthetic mask took weeks to create, with every hair individually inserted and veins painstakingly painted by hand.

It took four hours to transform actor Warwick Davis into Griphook in the films which included him wearing black contact lenses and dentures with extremely sharp teeth to complete the goblin look.

“Officially opened on Saturday 6th April as a permanent addition, the 16,500sqft Gringotts Wizarding Bank expansion is the Studio Tour’s biggest addition to date”

THE DETAILS Tickets must be pre-booked at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or by calling the Studio Tour’s Visitor Services Team on 0345 084 0900 and cannot be bought at the attraction. #WBTourLondon Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Studio Tour Drive Leavesden, WD25 7LR

Lestrange Vault Once through the banking hall of Gringotts, visitors will enter the depths of the Lestrange Vault used to store the treasures of Bellatrix Lestrange including the Sword of Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff ’s Cup, one of Voldemort’s many Horcruxes. During filming 38,000 pieces of rubberised treasure were created for the Lestrange vault including 7,014 Hufflepuff Cups. Here, visitors can try out a unique photo opportunity allowing them to step inside the Lestrange vault and surround themselves with treasure.

Destroyed Gringotts As visitors leave the vaults they will enter the final set of the new expansion – destroyed Gringotts.

Harry Potter fans will remember the dramatic scene in the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 where the Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon thrashes through the banking hall smashing chandeliers and wrecking columns. Visitors will walk through the original set and experience the scene come to life using digital technology to recreate the dragon, as it was in the film. Starting with the sound of clanking chains, the dragon will slowly emerge from a dark mist, finally coming in to full view, breathing fire, before retreating into the darkness.

In addition to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank expansion, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London has unveiled an all-new 17,000sq ft lobby and café serving foosd and drink inspired by the Wizarding World and can seat up to 500 people. Entrance to the expansion is included in general admission ticket price.

“As visitors leave the vaults they will enter the final set of the new expansion – destroyed Gringotts”

About Wizarding World More than two decades ago, a young Harry Potter was whisked onto Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station, and readers everywhere were swept along with him into a magical universe, created by J.K. Rowling. In the years since, the seven Harry Potter bestsellers have inspired eight blockbuster movies, an award-winning stage play, and, more recently, the start of the Fantastic Beasts fivefilm series. People of all ages have been enthralled by these extraordinary adventures, set within an expanding universe, inspired by the vision of J.K. Rowling. For today’s growing worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, the Wizarding World welcomes everyone to explore more of this magical universe — past, present and future.

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YUMMY MUMMY

It’s a bug’s life!

Discover the hidden heroes of London’s Royal Parks this summer

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oung bug enthusiasts have the chance to learn more about the amazing minibeasts that call London’s parks home this summer. The Royal Parks charity’s Mission: Invertebrate. was launched in 2017 to help discover, celebrate and protect nature’s unsung workforce living in the 5,000 acres of London’s royal parks.

Mission: Invertebrate will go on the road over the school summer holidays, inviting children to discover the parks’ hidden heroes, from bees and beetles to snails and spiders.

Families can uncover the fascinating secrets of a host of invertebrates through bug hunting, critter crafting and interactive storytelling at seven of the capital’s eight Royal Parks – St James’s Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

Invertebrates are creatures without a backbone, including insects like ants, beetles, flies and bees, as well as snails, slugs and worms. Invertebrates play a vital role in our ecosystems, pollinating plants, breaking down green waste and providing a food source for birds and small mammals. Over 95% of all known species of animals are invertebrates.

Families can join a bug hunt, jump onboard the Bugmobile and explore insect habitats, learn fascinating critter facts during interactive story-telling and make bug-inspired crafts to take home. Budding young environmentalists will meet the hidden heroes of the parks and learn about the vital roles they play as recyclers, pollinators and sources of food.

Activities will be on offer between 11am and 3pm, and are free with no booking required. The roadshow is recommended for children aged from three to eleven years old and their families.

“Insects and other invertebrates are truly the most important inhabitants of the royal parks – all other wildlife relies on them. Our free family 6 4 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9

roadshows are a fun way to help children learn about these tiny creatures and the vital role they play in the environment, both in London and beyond.”

- Dr Alice Laughton, Mission: Invertebrate Project Manager.

Mission: Invertebrate summer roadshow dates: • Hyde Park: 31 July, 1 August • Richmond Park: 8 August • Bushy Park: 13 August • Greenwich Park: 15 August • The Green Park: 20, 22 August • Kensington Gardens: 27 August • St James’s Park: 29 August Visit www.royalparks.org.uk/ missioninvertebrate for further details.

The Royal Parks is a charity created in March 2017 to manage and fundraise for 5,000 acres of historic Royal parkland across London. Every year, 77 million visitors enjoy London’s eight Royal Parks for their unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of London. The charity also looks after other important open spaces in London, including Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens and Canning Green.

It costs £40million a year to manage the parks.

The charity raises around 75 per cent of this money itself, with the remaining 25 per cent coming from the Government.

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Mission: Invertebrate is working to enhance and protect wildlife in the royal parks, while involving thousands of children and adults from across London in conservation activities.

The parks are owned by the Crown with their responsibility resting with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks charity manages the parks on behalf of the government.

THE DETAILS For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk or follow on Twitter @theroyalparks, Facebook.com/ TheRoyalParksLondon Instagram.com/TheRoyalParks.

YUMMY MUMMY

SEA LIFE LONDON to UNVEIL LARGEST LIVING CORAL REEF EXPERIENCE IN THE UK

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oral Kingdom is the brand new, exciting experience at SEA LIFE London, featuring over 1,000 clownfish in a live coral tank over 40ft long!

A spectacle of colour has arrived at SEA LIFE London with the UK’s largest living coral reef unveiled in the new Coral Kingdom.

Measuring a colossal 40ft long, a unique and specially commissioned tank reveals an aweinspiring underwater coral reef habitat. It forms

part of a new coral experience which offers a calming escape from everyday life and allows guests to soak-up the vivid vista of colour from one of the most diverse ecosystems.

From the moment guests’ step into the dazzling underwater oasis they journey through the leafy green shallows of the Mangroves as the Coral Kingdom transitions between day and night. Visitors come faceto-fin with more than a thousand colourful Clownfish, making this one of the largest and immersive places to see the species up close in the UK. The experience features a variety of other awesome marine creatures including Archerfish, Hermit crabs, regal tangs and cardinal fish; all of which play their own unique part in the underwater kingdom.

“A spectacle of colour has arrived at SEA LIFE London with the UK’s largest living coral reef unveiled in the new Coral Kingdom” Coral Kingdom also includes exciting interactive elements for guests to enjoy and discover what life is like for creatures on the reef, such as the fun Clownfish Challenge game where guests can weave, dodge and shuffle their way through the reef just like a resident clownfish.

Alongside Coral Kingdom, guests can also enjoy everything else SEA LIFE London has to offer, including the creepy crawlies of the new Rainforest Adventure, Ocean Invaders: Enter the World of Jellyfish, the Ocean Tunnel and Shark Walk and Polar Adventure.

Those ready to dive into the colourful spectacle and discover more about this fascinating part of the underwater world can book their visit for Coral Kingdom by visiting www.visitsealife.com/london/tickets

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The Details Open seven days a week. Please check the website for feeding times, prices, opening hours and last entry times, as these may vary.

For the best rates book tickets in advance online.

Address: County Hall, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB

About SEA LIFE SEA LIFE London is located on the South Bank close to Waterloo and Westminster stations. There are over 40 SEA LIFE Centre’s located across the world including London, Birmingham, Sydney, Paris, Oberhausen, Bangkok and Orlando. We welcome more than 20m guests each year to our 50 aquariums and six sanctuaries. We care for over 180,000 creatures living in incredible themed habitats.

YUMMY MUMMY

MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! RETURNS TO THE UK Don’t miss this Action-Packed Live Arena Show, from 18 September – 8 December 2019

THE DETAILS For full UK tour dates and to purchase tickets visit www. marveluniverselive.co.uk Stay current on the latest developments and tour dates nearest you by following: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MarvelOnTour Twitter: @MarvelOnTour YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel Instagram: @MarvelOnTour #MarvelUniverseLive

About Marvel Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years.

Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. ©2018 MARVEL

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uper Hero action, thrills and drama will soar, smash and burst into arenas across the UK next autumn as Marvel Universe LIVE! returns with a brand new show.

Visiting nine UK cities in this all new production, produced by Feld Entertainment, Marvel fans will see Spider-Man, The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy join forces with Doctor Strange, master of the mystic arts, in a race against time to recover the Wand of Watoomb before it falls into Loki’s hands.

The audience will witness cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, and impressive 3D video projection mapping in this completely new thrilling adventure. With aerial stunts, martial arts and daring motorcycle skills, fans of all ages will be immersed in the Marvel universe in a show unlike anything they’ve ever seen before!

Called on by Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy join Marvel Universe LIVE! on a momentous crusade against the scheming Nebula who teams up with the conniving and loathsome villains Loki and Green Goblin. The incredible superhuman forces of Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Hulk and Black Widow will unite in clashes that pit student against mentor, sister against sister and brother against brother.

“Our tremendously talented creative team and a nearly super human cast, have created a show that brings Marvel to life,” said Juliette Feld, producer of Marvel Universe LIVE! “The show creates an experience that immerses families in non-stop action, creating movie-style thrills and jaw-dropping stunts that showcase the powers of your favourite Super Heroes right before your eyes.”

The show will be flying into arenas in London, Nottingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham from September until December 2019.

PREGNANCY

BIRTH & BABIES

– Keeping you and baby happy and healthy throughout pregnancy and birth – i mage : 5 O F T H E B E S T B A B Y C A R R I E R S F O R N E W B O R N S

YUMMY MUMMY

Duellette Combi Suitability 0 to 15kg

Duel DS Junior Suitability 0 to 15kg

Fitty Jogger Suitability 0 to 15kg

LET YOUR LITTLE ONE TRAVEL IN STYLE WITH KIDS KARGO K ids Kargo have enjoyed 22 successful years in the Nursery Industry selling their brand of pushchairs, travel systems, car seats and accessories.

They have been involved in lots of changes and trends over the years. Selling award winning products, they are constantly adding extra benefits to their designs to continue keeping babies safe & snug, whilst also keeping parents happy. Employing skilled and talented members on their team, they stay ahead of fast moving designs & technology.

They are super excited about introducing three new products to their range during 2019.

Specialising in affordable double pushchairs, and single to double travel systems, they supply large retailers & independent stockists throughout the UK and Europe.

To celebrate 22 successful years, Kids Kargo will be launching two very exciting compact travel systems, along with their new isofix car seats.

Supporting the already popular Tan collection, they have also introduced Vintage Silver and Midnight Black. www.kidskargo.com. info@kidskargo.com.

01234 750333

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Acacia Wildlife 4 Kids

Puppets for educational, imaginative play.

Organic baby and toddler essentials.

www.acaciawildlife4kids.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

tips for better sleep during pregnancy Empty your headspace before you go to bed.

We all have busy lives. There’s always something else waiting to get done or a gazillion little things you need to organise in your head on a day to day basis in order to get the logistics of modern life to actually work. Some neuroscientists claim that an average human has about 50 000 to 70 000 thoughts in their head per day. No wonder it can feel a little busy up theresometimes ha-ha.Have you ever gone to bed after a long day, but as soon as your head hits the pillow you suddenly feel wide-awake? Like, no matter how hard you try your brain simply won’t shut off ? That is actually your brain trying to tell you that you need to de-clutter upstairs!

To set yourself up for good sleep you need to allow your brain and body to winddownafter a busy day. Turn off your phone, computer screen or TV for the last hour to half hour before you go to bed.

Read a book or listen to some relaxing music, and take 5 minutes to write down everything (no matter how little!) you think you need to remember for the next day on a piece of paper. That way you empty your headspace and make space for some nice, restfulsleep.

Beware of sleep debt You need way more sleep than usual when you’re pregnant. Why? Because you are actually growing a tiny little human in there and that takes a lot of energy from your body. Sleep debt is the difference between the amounts of sleep you should be getting and the amount you actually get. The good news is that, like with all debt, with some persistent work you can catch up and repay it– though it won’t happen in one extended sleep marathon. Taking a small daytime nap every day plus tacking on an extra hour or two of sleep during the night is what is going to help you stay in good sleep balance.

Keep it cool After you conceive, your body temperature will go up by an average of nearly one degree due to an increase in your body metabolism. Now, that may 7 4 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9

not sound like a lot but believe me it is noticeable.

Your body naturally recognises that it has to take care of two, and thus increases it’s normal activities leading to an increase in body temperature. Keep your bedroom extra cool and use linens that allow for proper circulation of air. Also, avoid exercise, warm baths/showers and caffeinated drinks the last 2-3 hours before you go to bed.

Feel free

“You need way more sleep than usual when you’re pregnant”

There’s nothing more irritating than the feeling of restrictive clothing when you’re trying to relax, right? Add a growing belly into that equation and it can feel near impossible to ignore that irritating bra or that uncomfortably curious brief when you’re trying to sleep. My best recommendation is that you sleep naked. No clothes to irritate you or restrict circulation in your body, and as a bonus it is also healthier for the “downstairs” department. If you are not comfortable with sleeping naked, at least make sure to wear something in stretchy, natural and breathable material. As you approach the end of your last trimester, turning over in bed can get quite challenging and your mattress may feel like it has Velcro on it. If you don’t have a partner who’s happy to wake up and give you a much-needed push as you roll over, try sleeping on a silk satin sheet with silk bottom or brief.

The magic is in the proper support Sleeping when you’re pregnant is different. Your body is in constant change and as your belly grows you will feel the need for body support during sleep.

Using the bbhugme pregnancy pillow from early on in your pregnancy will not only help you sleep and rest better, but it can also help in the prevention of common low back- and pelvic pain (SPD) associated with pregnancy. Thousands of women have already tried the bbhugme pregnancy pillow and they love it!

If there is ever a time in your life you should invest in sleep, it’s during your pregnancy. Remember, you are sleeping for two now.

Dr. Hilde, Founder of bbhugme www.bbhugme.no

YUMMY MUMMY

NEW BABY? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

New parents would feel much more confident if they knew these simple truths, midwife Vicki Scott tells Lisa Salmon

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rust your instincts, nobody gets it right all the time, and you’re doing a great job - these are all crucial parenting tenets, yet most new parents either don’t know or won’t believe them.

Instead, many new mums and dads feel unsure of themselves in the early days of parenthood, and worry they’re not the ‘perfect parent’. Indeed, new research has found more than half (62%) of parents believe they’re failing within the first year.

And the study, by WaterWipes , which has launched the #ThisIsParenthood project offering a candid look at real parenting moments, also revealed exactly half of UK parents put on a brave face rather than being honest about their reality.

Midwife Vicki Scott says: “When it comes to parenthood, there’s no one size fits all - the ‘perfect parent’ doesn’t exist. Many of the new parents I work with often feel they should know everything as soon as their child is born, and if they don’t, they are in some way failing.

“This just isn’t the case. You are, in fact, the very best parent for your baby. It’s all about that precious connection and loving bond, even on those tricky days.”

And the fact that most new parents are probably doing really well, despite their own doubts, is

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something many more experienced mums and dads say they wish they’d known before they had their first baby, and would now tell others.

Here Scott reveals the top 10 things parents of older children would tell their less experienced counterparts:

Nobody gets it right all the time New parents aren’t expected to know everything about parenting, particularly with their first child, says Scott. “I always try to reassure parents of this and help guide them on their journey, learning as they go,” she says. “With so much pressure to feel you need to be perfect, particularly with social media nowadays, it’s important to remember you won’t always get it right and you aren’t expected to know everything.”

Trust your instincts Mother knows best, and so do fathers, stresses Scott.

“There’s nothing like a parent’s instinct - they know their child better than anyone and it’s important to listen to this. The overall feeling of failing comes from a number of sources, including social media, but my advice would be to switch off from this, and listen to your own thoughts and feelings.”

“I always try to reassure parents of this and help guide them on their journey, learning as they go”

are “all over the place”. But although mums are likely to have more extreme reactions than usual around the time of the birth, dads will also often feel all sorts of emotions on the parenting journey.

“It’s important not to be too hard on yourself and understand feelings can be difficult to interpret and manage at this time,” says Scott. “Just go with it, be sure to talk about it and things will settle with experience and time.”

Sleep takes time You’re doing a great job “Parenthood can be a real challenge at any stage, with those early days being particularly testing at times, and so all you can do is try your best,” says Scott, who stresses that celebrating the realities of parenting will build confidence and create an open and honest conversation about it.

Sometimes your child cries for no reason Babies crying is, of course, completely normal, and a vital part of how an infant communicates its needs. “Sometimes they may be tired, or hungry, or just want a cuddle,” says Scott. “Again it goes back to trusting your instincts.” She advises new parents to pause, take a breath, don’t panic, and do all they can to soothe baby until he or she settles down. “The most important thing is that you’re there supporting your baby until its need is met,” she explains.

If someone offers to help, take it

Supporting your baby to develop healthy sleep patterns doesn’t always happen quickly or easily, and Scott says: “Parents need to be made aware that it will often take time to master - and just when you think you’ve mastered nap-time, along comes a new developmental stage and sleeping patterns can change again.”

It can be hard to adjust to becoming a new parent Becoming a mum or dad for the first time won’t necessarily feel natural straight away, and over a third (34%) of UK parents want to make sure other parents know this. “Being a new parent can be incredibly difficult and many can find it hard to adjust to their new way of life,” says Scott.

“It’s important not to be too hard on yourself and understand feelings can be difficult to interpret and manage at this time,” says Scott. “Just go with it, be sure to talk about it and things will settle with experience and time”

You’ll go through more nappies and wipes than you imagined “You can never have enough nappies and wipes, and never underestimate the mess that comes with a small child,” stresses Scott.

Parents can often feel alone and unable to share their struggles with friends and family - the WaterWipes research found 41% of UK parents feel they can’t be honest about their struggles due to fear of judgement. However, many support networks such as friends and family, antenatal classes and mum and baby groups are available, and over half of UK parents (53%) would urge new parents to accept the help around them.

Care for yourself While in the early days of new parenthood your focus is on your baby, it’s important parents don’t forget about themselves, stresses Scott. Indeed, almost half (47%) of UK parents wish they’d known the importance of self-love in those early days, and would now advise new parents to bear it in mind. “While you’re trying to do your best, you must also remember you’re only human and you need time to relax and reflect too,” says Scott.

“Think of it as taking care of your baby’s most precious possession - its parents.”

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YUMMY MUMMY

Best for baby M

iss Tena Walters has been working as a consultant breast surgeon in Harley Street for the past 23 years. She is one of a minority of breast surgeons, who has had personal experience of breast feeding.

Normally the production of milk from the breast and the demand for nutrition from the baby is in perfect balance. The more the baby feeds and stimulates the breast the more the hormone prolactin is released from the pituitary gland and the more milk is produced. This means that if the baby is latched on but doesn’t seem to be getting any milk, they are just putting in their order for the next day and when the baby is weaning, demand and milk production decreases.

Diagnosing breast problems during pregnancy or breast feeding is more complex than normal as the density, high blood supply and swelling of the breast tissue makes examination, imaging and biopsy interpretation more difficult.

Most abnormalities, which occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not sinister, but any breast lump should be investigated as rarely a breast cancer can occur.

The most common cause of a breast lump during pregnancy or lactation is the normal bumpiness of the active and developing breast

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tissue but sometimes the lump is different from the normal tissue. For example a breast cyst, which is like a balloon containing fluid, which could be clear like water or milky, when it’s called a galactocoele.

The contents of a cyst can become infected with bacteria forming an abscess. This is red, hot, tender and causes flu like symptoms. This needs to be aspirated under ultrasound guidance and the fluid should be tested to determine the most effective antibiotics. No amount of massaging will clear a breast abscess, cyst or galactocoele.

Mastitis is an infection, which spreads throughout the breast making it hot and tender and this also needs to be treated with antibiotics. A persistent infection can be caused by Candida or thrush.

If a breast lump is solid rather than cystic a biopsy is needed to remove a small amount of tissue, which can then be looked at microscopically.

Most of these lumps are harmless and a condition known as a lactational adenoma, which disappears when breast feeding is finished.

Breast feeding should be a great experience, but if problems occur seek help as they may be easily remedied.

For appointments please call 01622 873058. For more details call Tena’s PA Helen on 07982 249612 or email tenakerrywalters@gmail.com

“Most abnormalities, which occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not sinister, but any breast lump should be investigated as rarely a breast cancer can occur”

Awareness Is Power Early detection can save lives.

If you have any concerns you would like to discuss, I am here to help.

Fast access to a one stop clinics offering assessment and diagnosis of all breast symptoms Any breast lump, nipple discharge, dimpling should be investigated and management is offered for problems with breast pain, family history, breast feeding Also provide screening and a second opinion Miss Tena Walters, Consultant Breast Surgeon MBBS, FRCS, MS 22 years experience in Breast Surgery For appointments please call 01622 873058 For more details call Tena’s PA Helen on 07982 249612 Or email tenakerrywalters@gmail.com

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YUMMY MUMMY

‘Why do babygrows have all these poppers?’

M y lovely hubby would ask me this all the time when we had our first baby boy.

This got me thinking about the many times I was struggling to match poppers in the dark whilst trying to dress our newborn. I now have two very wriggly little boys who won’t keep still for a second, it’s like wrestling a lion getting them dressed after bath time. So with two busy little guys to deal with I need ZIPPYUP’s more than ever to make nappy and outfit changes quicker and easier.

Just over a year ago I got to work on making ZIPPYUP a brand for all those parents like us, slightly tired, run ragged and doing the best we can...we’ll take any help that is offered...if it makes our life easier.

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Before I promoted myself to the position of Mummy, I learnt my trade working for a company that designed and made many of the clothes you’re probably wearing right now. So I have taken those many years of experience and knowledge and put them to good use by designing and making a babygrow that works well for both the wearer and the dresser.

ZIPPYUP babygrows aren’t just well designed, they’re amazing value and made from good quality soft fabric, that’s because I personally source and work with the factories that are making ZIPPYUP designs to get the best possible prices and materials.

The classic ZIPPYUP original babygrow is made from 100% super soft cotton fabric. The zips are concealed so they do not have contact with your baby’s skin and the tab at the neck ensures the zip puller doesn’t catch on any little chins.

The long sleeves have turn back cuffs so you don’t need separate (often lost or odd) mittens and they are long enough for your baby to have lots of hand room.

Colour combinations include unisex colours such as aqua with pale grey and traditional white with pale grey. For baby girls we have designed a pink and white stripe. New colour combinations of the classic one-piece ZIPPYUP babygrow are in the pipeline as well as new designs, I’ve taken inspiration from baseball style tees by pairing up interesting colours which look extra cute as babygrows, I look forward to sharing these with you very soon. www.zippyup.com

BABY CLOTHES WITH ZIPS

www.zippyup.com

@zippy.up

Are you StruggliNg WitH cHildcAre?

Here at Baby Steps Nannies we aim to make the search for a nanny as seamless and pain free as possible!

We pride ourselves on providing a bespoke and personal service depending on your individual requirements, whether you need a full time live in nanny or after school help we aim to find the perfect childcare solution for you.

A brand inspired by a love for beautiful soft luxury yarns like cashmere, angora and silk, motivated by a passion for creating unique products. www.bo-peephandmade.co.uk

if you want to know more, we are always on the end of the phone so give us a call on 0208 652 9949. Whether you are just curious as to what we do or if you want a hand with your search, we will be happy to help.

Baby Steps Nannies ltd babystepsnanniesltd

@babystepsnanny www.babystepsnannies.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

Nuby 3-in-1 Convertible Newborn Baby Carrier, £49.99

Nuna Cudl Baby Carrier, £150, BabyBabyOnline

5 OF THE BEST

BABY CARRIERS FOR NEWBORNS

Katie Wright

rounds up the most stylish baby carriers on the market

BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One Air Black, £125.10 (was £139.99), Mothercare

W

hether your newborn is royalty or not (oh hi, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor), when it comes to taking a tot from A to B, comfort and safety are paramount.

A baby carrier is the perfect solution for parents who want to transport their little one without having to faff with a pram or buggy, but what do new mums or dads need to know about babywearing?

“Firstly, decide whether you’re going to use the carrier or sling to promote bonding and feel close to your baby, or is it going to be one of your main methods of transporting your baby?” says says Susanne Rauberger, show manager from The Baby Show.

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Tula Everblue Explore Baby Carrier, £154.90

Ergobaby Aura Baby Carrier Wrap, £49.90, John Lewis

“Also, if both parents are going to use, it needs to work for both of you.”

Carriers come in a variety of styles and fabrics, from soft wrap-around slings to more structured designs.

“Wrap-style slings are cosy and great for breastfeeding,” Rauberger says.”Lightweight and structured carriers can offer plenty of back support for you and are generally easier to clip and unclip.”

If you plan on using the carrier for years to come, look for one which evolves and grows with your baby so you’ll get more use out of it, but the most important thing is that your baby is safe and comfortable, Rauberger recommends: “Make sure that it supports the baby’s hips and holds baby’s legs in the right place so they sit in the natural spread position to help benefit healthy and natural hip development.”