Issuu

parenting How to treat a cold in pregnancy • Baby tummy troubles • Maternal depletion • Family food • Crafty fun I r e leasy and ’ s B e s t B a b y B u y s

S ISSUE

Dec 2018 /Jan 2019

Y O U R U LT I M AT E S H O P P I N G G U I D E - H E L P I N G PA R E N T S M A K E S M A R T C H O I C E S

Expert Advice Just For You

Pregnant? top foods you need to eat

Winter baby health: ✔Must-read Unblocking stuffy noses advice ✔plus Howreal to decode mums’ coughs ✔product Infant skincare reviews tips

170+ baby products tested by parents & experts REAL LIFE:

Birth story & baby diary

EXPERT PRAMS SLEEP TIPS NAPPIES CARyour SEATS Why toddler STERILISERS needs that nap BABY PAIN RELIEF

HELP YOUR FUSSYMORE... EATER AND MUCH TO TRY MORE FOODS €5.95 £5.50

Tasty recipes, & crafts

NPPG v2 COVER OPTIONS.indd 3

€2.90 – ROI

Real mums... real solutions

£2.70 – UK

DEC 2018/JAN 2019

Front cover section.indd 1 COVER SPREAD NPPG.indd 1

PA R E N T A N D E X P E RT PA N E L A P P R O V E D

1. The AHAM AC1-2015 standard defines purifier performance in a specified test chamber, based only on cleaning efficiency rates. 2. Tested for filtration efficiency (EN1822) at 0.1 microns and whole room coverage (TM-003711 & DTM801) in a 27m2 room.

R E Lmagazine A N D ’ Ireland’s No.1 pregnancy & Ibaby

05/12/2018 17:26 17:37 05/02/2019 15:09 04/02/2019

Adorra Part of the Family

The luxurious Adorra meets the demands of everyday life by combining best-in-class comfort for your baby and convenience for you. Weighing less than 12kg and boasting a compact fold, it's the perfect pushchair from birth up to 3.5 years. *Register with Maxi-Cosi for lifetime warranty within 3 months after purchase

COVER SPREAD NPPG.indd 2

www.maxi-cosi.com 06/02/2019 14:20

BEST BABY BUYS WELCOME

Hello...

elcome to Ireland’s Best Baby Buys – the first consolidated source of information for parents and parents–to–be in Ireland trying to select the right products for their babies. Now in its fifth year, this guide will help you navigate the great big world that’s geared at little people because choosing baby products can be very confusing, particularly considering the vast array of product choices and conflicting advice out there! Based on this observation as well as our experience in the parenting category (as publishers of easy parenting magazine, The Ultimate Maternity Guide and everymum.ie), we teamed up with Kantar Millward Brown to develop the National Parenting Product Awards – the objective being to independently and rigorously test products in this category, amongst consumers and experts. Forward-thinking companies who distribute baby products all over Ireland submitted their products for testing by consumers and experts, the results of which are included in this useful guide. You can find a detailed description of the methodology on page 7. Ireland’s Best Baby Buys is divided into five chapters that cover almost every eventuality when it comes to mum and baby. There are products for everything from getting out and about (e.g. best car seat, best pushchair etc.) to products for baby care (e.g. best baby pain relief, best nappy cream etc.) and products for mum (e.g. best beauty product, best breast pump etc.) plus many more. In fact there are over 170 products that have been tested in this guide. The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are highlighted and include consumer and expert ratings. You’ll also find all of the runners up (in random order), with their stockist and pricing information. To help make your baby product shopping even easier, we have included informative articles in every section, plus mum tester’s verdicts on every single product. We hope that this handy little guide becomes your constant companion as you make purchasing decisions for you and your baby!

Contributors ELMA HERBERT

Nursery/Baby Product Expert

Previous nursery store owner, Elma Herbert shares her expert tips and knowledge on baby products.

AISLING SLOYAN Senior Road Safety Promotion

Officer in the Road Safety Authority

Aisling has expert advice on buying car seats for new parents.

SELENE DALY

Dermatology Nurse Specialist

Selene advises what parents need to look out for when buying skincare products for babies.

CAROLINE O’CONNOR Consultant Dietitian

Caroline shares her expert weaning product advice.

FIONA O’FARRELL Occupational Therapist and Sleep E xpert Gina Miltiadou Publisher and Managing Director Zahra Media Group

Fiona advises on sleep safety guidelines and baby products.

EDITOR

ART DIRECTION

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Emma Parkin

Rory Maguire

John Mullins

eparkin@zahramediagroup.com

jmullins@zahramediagroup.com

STAFF WRITERS

Sales Manager: Regina Hinds

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Emily Elphinstone

rhinds@zahramediagroup.com

Gina Miltiadou

Published by: Zahra Media Group, 12 Prince of Wales Terrace, Quinsborough Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland

Elsje du Toit

086 825 0558

gmiltiadou@zahramediagroup.com

Tel: +353 (0) 255 7566

ADVERTISING

Image libraries: shutterstock.com IRELAND’S BEST BABY BUYS

1-5 INTRO NPPGv2.indd 3

05/02/2019 14:39

BEST BABY BUYS

contents OUT & ABOUT

TIME TO EAT

Buggy basics 07 Best Travel Product 08

Best Bottle Feeding Range

Best Bottle Feeding Accessory

Best Infant Carrier Car Seat

Best First Cups/Training Cups

Best Car Seat Over 1 Year +

Best Baby /Toddler Drink

Best Travel System

Best High Chair

Best Pushchair

Best Product For Weaning

Best Twin/Tandem Pushchair

Best Baby Food Range

Best Lightweight Stroller

Best Baby/Toddler Snacks

Best Steriliser

8 things to know before you buy a car seat 23 Expert advice: car seats 25 Expert advice: buying your buggy 27

Tried and tested mums’ weaning product tips 96 Expert advice: weaning products 99 Sterilising Basics

BABY CARE

100

FOR MUM

Best Nursery Product

Best Product For Sleep

Best Bath Time Toiletry Product

Preferred Supplement for Pregnancy

102

Best Breast Pump

104

Best Nappy Changing Accessory

Best Product For Breastfeeding

105

Best Baby Skincare Range/Product

Best Post-Pregnancy Product

107

Best Nappy Pants

Best Beauty Product For Mum

108

Best Baby Nappy Cream

Best Disposable Baby/Toddler Nappy

Best Disposable Newborn Nappy 0-3 Months

Best Toilet Training Product

Best Baby Wipes

Best Bath Time Accessory

Quicky beauty tricks from real mums 110 Pre and post pregnancy wellbeing 112

CLEANING

Expert advice: Safe sleep 54

Best Laundry Product

116

Best Baby Clothing Range And Accessories

Best Fabric Conditioner

118

Best Safety Product

Best Overall House Hygiene Product

120

Best Baby Soother Range

Best Home Cleaning Product

123

Best Baby Pain Relief

House cleaning hacks 124

Best Product For Newborn 0-3 Months

Best Baby Treatment For Relief of Colic

Buying for baby: Top tips from real mums 127

Best Baby Pain Relief For Teething

Service List Winners NPPA 129

Best Supplement/Multivitamin For Babies, Toddlers And Kids

Best New Product Launch

A guide to second hand baby products 74 Buying baby products advice 76 Expert advice: skincare products

Note: The product prices in this guide were correct at the time of going to print. Each product entered into the NPPA 2018 was tested against approximately 15-25 key category metrics. Please note that the score rating information that is included with each winning product in this guide only includes a selection of these key category metrics.

IRELAND’S BEST BABY BUYS

1-5 INTRO NPPGv2.indd 4

01/02/2019 17:39

BEST BABY BUYS

A NOTE FROM OUR RESEARCH PARTNERS

his is the ﬁfth year of the National Parenting Product Awards (NPPA) and Kantar Millward Brown is delighted to be working with Zahra Media Group once again in overseeing the administration of the consumer tests and conducting the analysis of the results. This year, a total of 178 child care products across 46 different categories were tested by both consumers and a panel of experts.

METHODOLOGY

Following what is now a well-established approach for conducting the research, a quantitative hall test was undertaken with a sample of over 250 mums and a select panel of 20 parenting experts. Far from a simple scoring system, the NPPA’s ambition is to deliver a clear and consumer grounded evaluation that puts product experience at the heart of the research approach. This meant that the performance of these products was tested in a live environment where respondents were given time to touch, feel, look at and use products and then give their opinions on the products’ performance against selected metrics. Testing each variant in a category one at a time, a sequential monadic approach was adopted which means the respondent rates the first variant on a series of product attributes before moving to the next variant. The order of testing each variant is strictly controlled to neutralise order of testing effects for greater confidence and control of test. Testing sessions were conducted in Dublin, Cork and Galway in locations that were specifically selected to be spacious, well-lit and permitted access to test specific products outside. Each day of testing had a schedule of categories to test in two hour slots.

were on hand to assist any questionnaire related queries. Each day of testing had a dedicated product instructor on hand to demonstrate the more complex categories’ functionality.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

The questionnaire consisted of 11 questions per product that included trial, awareness, previous purchase and frequency of use. Consumers were then asked to rank the top three most important considerations from a pre-coded list when purchasing in this category. These were then followed by questions on overall liking and likelihood to choose the product. Consumers were also asked to rate performance of the products against category importance drivers and ﬁnally against metrics that were generic to parenting and child products, and metrics that were speciﬁc to the category.

A DIVERSE EXPERT PANEL

The ﬁnal component of the test at all three venues involved incorporating the views of experts from a broad range of areas relating to parenting and child well-being and from other ﬁelds including product design and healthcare. The questionnaire completed by the expert panel collected a mix of both quantitative and qualitative information, with testers providing details on what they liked/disliked about each product. These responses were invaluable in adding additional insight to the judging process. Kantar Millward Brown shares Zahra Media Group’s dedication and commitment to creating a trusted source to help parents navigate the myriad decisions in relation to selecting the right products for their babies.

SAMPLE SIZE

Each respondent was invited to spend a two-hour session assessing a selection of products across a maximum of 14 categories. Each product questionnaire was three minutes long ensuring testers were able to give their responses due consideration. Additionally, adequate breaks were allotted between different categories to ensure respondent fatigue did not occur. Trained Kantar Millward Brown interviewers and researchers

DAVID BERRY

Managing Director

IRELAND’S BEST BABY BUYS

1-5 INTRO NPPGv2.indd 5

01/02/2019 17:39

OUT AND ABOUT

O UT & A BOU T The best out & about products as voted by our panel of parents and experts.

07 Buggy basics 08 Best Travel Product 10 Best Infant Carrier Car Seat 14 Best Car Seat Over 1 Year + 16 Best Travel System 19 Best Pushchair 20 Best Twin/Tandem Pushchair 22 Best Lightweight Stroller 23 8 things to know before you buy a car seat 25 Expert advice: car seats 27 Expert advice: buying your buggy

IRELANDâ€™S BEST BABY BUYS

6-28 OUT AND ABOUT NPPGv2.indd 6

01/02/2019 14:26

OUT AND ABOUT EXPER T ADVICE PRAMS

Buggy basics Use these pointers to create a checklist of what you’re looking for in your pushchair or pram Questions to ask yourself before you choose a pushchair

Are the following features important to you?

Where you live • I live in a busy town centre • I live in an urban area but close to countryside • I live in a rural location • I live in an apartment • I live in a house

• A five point harness • A multi-position reclining seat • A sun canopy • Swivel wheels for mobility • Easy folding system • Basket for shopping • Easy to clean fabric • Lightweight frame • Easy to use, one touch brakes

Where you will store the pushchair? • In your car boot • Standing upright in your house • Folded up and stored in your home • Don’t know, as not enough storage at home

And finally …

Consider your lifestyle and the following practicalities:

What do you consider to be most important when choosing a pushchair?

• It needs to hold more than one child • It can be used from birth until three • It’s lightweight and can be stored in a compact way

What type of transport do you use mostly? • My car – I drive everywhere • My feet – I walk • Public transport – Buses, trams, trains.

How do you plan to use the stroller most often? • Long walks and jogging • General errands, short walks • Moving baby from the car to stroller frequently

Are you looking for more features, or a lighter weight? • Extra storage for shopping and accessories • Lightweight and easy to fold • A balance of both of the above

ge 27 Go to pa xpert e e m so r fo n buying advice o chair your push

• Will it fit in the boot of your car easily, and will it fit in after you’ve done the weekly shop. Be sure to measure your car and then size up pushchairs that will easily fit the dimensions of your boot. • Is it easy to clean? Spills are bound to happen, so it is always best to look out for a pushchair with covers that can be easily removed and washed. • Where do you live? For urban areas, you’ll need something lightweight and easily manoeuverable. • For more rural areas you’ll need to look for a pushchair with air filled tyres, flexible front wheels, and good suspension. • How much space do you have available at home? Are you going to leave it folded in your car boot, or under the stairs, and will it fit? Or do you have a living space large enough that you can just wheel it in and out when you need? • Do you require a large shopping basket? If this is something important to you, be sure to look for a model that comes with a decent sized shopping basket underneath, or that can be added on, as well as having space for a changing bag. N AT I O N A L PA R E N T I N G P R O D U C T G U I D E 2 0 1 9

6-28 OUT AND ABOUT NPPGv2.indd 7

01/02/2019 14:26

MU MS S AY...

OUT AND ABOUT BEST CAR SEAT OVER 1 YEAR

Car seats - over one year

Nuna REBL Plus Car Seat

When your child grows out of the first infant carrier car seat, make sure you do some research on what’s out there. Check out these car seats for children aged one year and over.

Nuna REBL Plus Car Seat

Maxi-Cosi Axiss Fix Plus This is good value for money, and offers great support. I like how easy it is to recline and rotate. It’s compact and neat.

The Nuna REBL Plus seat rotates through 360°, making it easier to get your baby settled in. The REBL Plus is convertible, allowing your baby to travel rearward facing until they’re around four years old. Additional airy mesh seat cover is included.

Be Safe Izi Modular Group 1+ And Base

Top features: Includes nine position ISOFIX anchors and all over side impact protection, combined for premium i-Size protection.

This car seat has lots of leg room, and I like how it rotates. It has great features, and seems like it would be easy to move to another car.

RRP: €449 Stockist: Available at leading independent nursery stores nationwide. COMFORTABLE SAFE FOR MY BABY ISFOR MY CHILD

4.53 / 5

4.47 / 5

DELIVERS ON THE MAIN THINGS MY CHILD NEEDS

EXPERT RATING

4.47 / 5

5.0 / 5

This car seat has a good recline. I like the extra padding, and also how it swivels. It’s feels safe and compact, and it’s easy to fit.

EX PERT ’S T IP

EXPERT COMMENT: “LONGEVITY. EXCELLENT SAFETY FEATURES. LEVELS OF RECLINE.”

Maxi-Cosi AxissFix Plus The AxissFix Plus complies with the latest i-Size car seat regulation and a 360° rotation to offer parents ease of use. The ISOFIX system enables very easy and safe installation, and the seat offers rear-facing travel up to approx two years (87cm).

The BeSafe iZi Modular Group 1+ has lots of padding, and the covers can be removed and cleaned. It also has side impact protection. Suitable from six months to approx four years.

Top features: The AxissFix Plus can be used from birth (45cm) with the cosy enveloping inlay and grows with the baby up to approx four years (105cm).

RRP: €499

Stockist: Leading nursery stores.

COMFORTABLE SAFE FOR MY BABY ISFOR MY CHILD

4.67 / 5

4.41 / 5

DELIVERS ON THE MAIN THINGS MY CHILD NEEDS

EXPERT RATING

4.51 / 5

3.0 / 5

EXPERT COMMENT: “EASY WASHABLE COVERS. SAFE/SECURE. FAMILIAR BRAND”

Before you buy your first car seat, consider if you want an infant carrier that can attach to your pushchair/stroller, or if you want a car seat that will last up until age four and be left in the car.

Be Safe iZi Modular Group 1+ and Base

Elma Herbert, baby product expert

Top features: Compatible with the iZi Modular iSize ISOFIX base. It is ﬁtted either forward facing or rearward facing with a ﬁve point harness.

RRP: €299 Stockist: Available In all leading nursery stores nationwide. COMFORTABLE SAFE FOR MY BABY ISFOR MY CHILD

4.43 / 5

4.29 / 5

DELIVERS ON THE MAIN THINGS MY CHILD NEEDS

EXPERT RATING

4.43 / 5

4.50 / 5

EXPERT COMMENT: “EASY TO INSTALL BASE. REAR AND FORWARD FACING. RECLINES WELL/ADJUSTABLE HEADREST. PLENTY OF LEGROOM WHEN REAR FACING.

IRELAND’S BEST BABY BUYS

6-28 OUT AND ABOUT NPPGv2.indd 14

01/02/2019 14:27

167_

OUT AND ABOUT

tony keal ad

IRELANDâ€™S BEST BABY BUYS

167_Tony KealyABOUT Ad_UMG18.indd 167 15 6-28 OUT AND NPPGv2.indd

04/09/2018 14:27 14:42 01/02/2019