Toothpaste Mess?  No Problem!

Here's a handy tip....Why not pop a Skibz on your little one whilst cleaning teeth.  It ensures that all splashes and dribbles are absorbed, keeping clothes and pyjamas clean and dry.  Wearing a Skibz eliminates the need for a rapid change of attire before school or bed.

The Organic Skibz is particularly magical for this job and can even be used as a flannel to wipe away excess dribble.  Be sure to keep one in your bathroom.

With the usual Skibz superior quality combined with bamboo, our Organics are extremely soft, comfortable and easy to wash, even at 60 degrees! 
Skibz Organics are available in three colours, Baby Blue, Powder Pink and Vanilla.

Buy Organic Skibz

Skibz Teething Tips to Help Soothe Baby's Sore Gums.

At Skibz HQ the business of dribbling and teething is taken very seriously indeed. 

Skibz was born out of necessity, ask any mother with a teething baby and they will tell you that it's no fun for baby's skin either!

Designed to be kind to skin and to protect babies during their teething months it's important to Skibz that your little one looks stylish too.

We asked some of you for your top tips and you didn't disappoint! Here is a quick guide to soothing sore gums and keeping your sanity during teething:

• Invest in a dribble bib. OBVIOUSLY, we would say this but it really is worth repeating. Skibz are designed specifically to soak up lots of moisture and lock it away from baby's skin, so no chafing or soreness. They also work well with any outfit so that your baby looks great and we all know that teething waits for no man. Your little one SHALL go to the ball (suitably dressed)
• Amber works well and there's lots of research out there to support that theory. Many parents believe that amber is a natural analgesic and swear by necklaces and anklets for their little ones. If you do decide to go for amber, make sure that your baby cannot harm themselves- go for reputable baby safe items only and supervise them at all times. 
• Teething jewellery can work wonders for babies with sore gums. These are necklaces that you wear, that are safe for baby to pull on and chew without fear of them breaking. 
• Baby paracetamol is often the first port of call for many parents, but there are also powders to rub on gums and gels that work effectively too. Give that a try and see what works best for you.
• Teething toys are also popular.  Teetherz for instance are made from silicone, are soft enough for babies to chew to their heart's content, you can even attach these to a Skibz Doublez for 'on the go comfort'.  Pop them into the fridge before use for an extra comfort chill. Yep, it's worth investing in a couple of teething toys
• There's teething mittens and brushes for little ones to chomp on.  Brushes have the added  benefit of not only brushing the teeth at the same time, but establishing a good oral hygiene routine right from the word go. Teething pain is caused by the collection of bacteria around the gum flaps, hence the need to keep area clean.
• Frozen bananas are a great soother for older babies. Pop half a peeled banana in the freezer and let your little one chew away. Ice pops are also great and these can even be made from breast-milk.

So what are your top tips for teething? Do leave a comment and let us know!

Three signs your baby is ready for their first food.

Every baby is different of course, but there are three clear signs that show your baby is ready to be introduced to solid foods alongside breast milk or formula. It's rare for these three signs to appear together before your baby is six months old.

1. They can stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady.

2. They can co-ordinate their eyes, hands and mouth so they can look at the food, pick it up and put it in their mouth, all by themselves.

3. They can swallow food. Babies who are not ready will push their food back out with their tongue, so they get more round their face than they do in their mouths.

Some signs that can be mistaken for a baby being ready for solid foods:

• chewing fists
• waking in the night when they have previously slept through
• wanting extra milk feeds

This is normal behaviour & not necessarily a sign of hunger or being ready to start solid food. Starting solid foods won't make them any more likely to sleep through the night. Extra feeds are usually enough until they're ready for other food.

Questions All Pregnant Women Are Tired Of Hearing...

If we had a pound for every time we were asked one of these questions during pregnancy, we'd have our nurseries kitted out with all the latest trends and baby brands quicker than you could ask another ridiculous question...

Do you know what you're having? 

Erm.. no, actually. The midwife said it could be a baby, but to be honest with you, I think it's a giraffe.  

Are you having twins?

No. It's only one baby in there. The only multiples I'm carrying is the multi-pack of pickled onion Monster Munch I had for breakfast. But thanks for your observation of my excessive pregnancy weight gain. 

When are you due?

Like it even matters. Everyone knows that the vast majority of babies don't arrive on time. 

Are you still pregnant?

Oh, no, this? This is just a pillow up my shirt. The baby is actually in the car.

Do you want help with that?

For goodness' sake! NO! I'm pregnant, not incapable! I can do it by myself! I'm an independent woman! I...I...I... Okay, yeah, actually, yes please. I really am quite exhausted and in oh so much pain. I can't even remember the last time I saw my toes. My nipples are leaking, and now I'm crying in front of a stranger. Great. Screw you, hormones. 

Do you think you'll have another?

Oh, yeah, I'm totally thinking about that right now. Because I can't wait to do it all again. Said no pregnant woman ever. 

Morning Sickness Tips

Morning sickness sucks. Like, really sucks. Especially when it becomes all day sickness. Whoever led us to believe it exclusively lasted throughout the morning is a dimwit. Morning sickness, my ar....ahem!

Anywoman who has been through it will remember those days and weeks of staring at the bottom of a toilet bowl, sobbing. "When will this end?". The simplest of smells, like boiling potatoes or mayonnaise, can leave you heaving. It's exhausting and frustrating, but here are a few pointers to get you through:

• Keep a packet of biscuits by your bed. Ginger biscuits are best - ginger is a natural stomach soother. No, this isn't for late night snacking. Well, it could be. But by having a biscuit handy in the morning and eating one or two before you even get out of bed (which you should consider doing very gradually) you can reduce the chances of running to the bathroom first thing. 

• Distract yourself. Thinking about nausea often makes it worse. Try to avoid using flickering computer screens for distraction, that can often worsen nausea too. Take up knitting, do the washing up, call a friend... (But make sure it's a friend who won't be completely grossed out when you have to run to vom mid-sentence.)

• Drink plenty. Just small sips, but however much you don't feel like daring to put anything in your stomach that might be making a sharp reappearance, staying hydrated is crucial. Dehydration will only make things worse. Try for your recommended 8 glasses a day. If you're a fan of herbal teas, try something with peppermint or ginger in to soothe your sickness. 

• Eat little and often. The blander the better, most find. Just whatever you can, when you can. High carb, low fat seems to work. Crackers, toast, that kind of thing.

• Get some rest. If that means calling in to work sick, or asking a relative to mind your toddler for a couple of hours, do it. Just do it. Feeling sick and tired is something nobody deserves. Don't feel guilty for having to call for help, either.

• Hang on in there, mummy! Growing a new baby is no easy thing for your body to do, it will be gruelling and gruesome, but it isn't impossible and you can do it! And just to think... there's going to be a brand new bundle to cherish at the end of it, and admiring the bottom of your loo will be a distant memory. 

5 Reasons Hand-Me-Downs Are GREAT!

Last week, mother-of-two and BBC news reader Kate Silverton appeared in Hello! magazine with her children, talking about how she's managing raising a family and returning to work. Go mama! 

But why is this so exciting for us at Skibz? Well, Kate's son Wilbur was sporting the very same Skibz bib that was seen on his big sister Clemency in 2012! How can we be sure that it's the same bib? Because our Raspberry Gingham design has been out of stock for aaaaaaaages. Like, since 2014! It's gotta be the same one, right? How's that for proof that the Skibz bib is made to last?

It got us to thinking about hand-me-downs, and why they're so super-duper!


1 Sharing is caring! So many things, particularly baby clothes, are much too lovely to simply be disposed of, so why not spread the love? Ask friends and family if they have anything that is no longer of use to them that you could have or borrow. Or perhaps consider passing on some of your pre-loved baby clothes to a friend who's expecting. They'll appreciate the gesture, and you'll get that wonderful warm nostalgic feeling (and perhaps broodiness) in seeing your now terrible-two-year-old's cute little sleepsuit used again.


2 Save money. It doesn't matter whether you're pinching at pennies on a strict budget, or absolutely rolling in it; what's the point in throwing it away? Why waste money and perfectly reusable pre-loved items that still have love to give? Lots of products are made to last, but hardly get any use because little ones grow so fast. eBay, Facebook groups, local shop bulletin boards, jumble sales, car boots, Gumtree and Preloved are just a few of the many fantastic places to buy, sell, adopt and give away wonderful second-hand items.


3 It's for charity. Of course you'll want to buy the odd few bits brand new for best, but you're going to need a whole heap of outfits to keep up with the demand of changes due to nappy leakages and regurgitation. Charity shops are a great place to find beautiful little pieces for a fraction of high street prices and most are barely worn. One quick wash and you're away! (And you've also donated towards a good cause.) Alternatively, if you're convinced that you're done with having babies and no longer have a need for the bin-liner full of babygros that's stuffed up in your loft, why not consider dropping it in to a charity shop? Loft space for you, bargain baby stuff for someone else, funds raised for charity; win, win, win.


4 Protect the environment. In a throwaway society there is just so much quality going to waste. By accepting and sharing hand-me-downs you're doing your little bit to keep the cost to the environment (and yourselves) down. Dress your baby in second-hand with pride!


5 Create heirlooms. What better way to keep our favourite things in circulation than to hand them down to the next generation? Vintage, retro, antique, none of these things would exist if it weren't for previous generations passing on their much loved belongings. Pass your lovely things through your family, and keep the love rolling on, and on, and on...

3 Reasons Mummy Was Late

It never ceases to surprise me just how quickly time flies when you have children. From positive pregnancy tests to fourth birthday parties, it seems like no time at all. So is it any wonder that as parents we're often running out of time? You can have your super-organised head on and yet still be late for the ball. Here are some of the reasons mummy, or daddy, might be running late! (Please feel free to comment your own suggestions!)

1 The baby pooed. Yes, that does account for the 20 minute delay. It was like an explosion in a houmous factory! I spent 5 minutes sitting in awe of the first human being to have ever managed to poo on their own ear. And the car seat. And my sleeve. And the cat. I changed my clothes faster than a pantomime actor carries out a costume change, and bundled everything into the washing machine and cleaned the baby up in record time. We were barely even going to be late at all... Until it happened again.

2 My toddler had a meltdown. I swear down, half an hour it took me to peel my toddler off the floor. She wanted to wear her pink coat. She doesn't even have a pink coat. Her bottom lip wobbled. I was quick to act and thought I'd saved us from an epic tantrum by conjuring a pink scarf as a compromise. She put on her navy coat and the pink scarf and looked rather smug... and then I looked outside. It's like 40 degrees, she's going to bake wearing a scarf in this weather. I had to tell her to take it off and leave it behind this time. You'd think I'd just told her that I murdered Iggle-blinkin'-Piggle! And then all hell broke loose. She was just screaming, sweating, snotting, all over the place! Her sobbing eyes just glazed over and stared right through me like she was sayin', 'You ain't no mother of mine!' - oh the guilt! And then, after her mammoth hissy fit, she fell asleep in a pile of shoes. Have you ever tried to pick up and fold a sleeping toddler into a car seat with a changing bag over your shoulder? 

3 I forgot, okay? That's why we were an hour late. You try living on less than 3 hours of disturbed sleep every night, and then having to remember to feed and clothe yourself, as well as a small child, and tell me you have enough memory left to remember that thing you were going to write in your diary... Until there was the distraction of an explosion in a houmous factory.

9 Reasons Your Baby NEEDS These!

Until a few years ago, baby bibs were boring. Scrappy bits of flannel that tied around a baby's neck. That's why and how Skibz came about; the bandana scarf style bib that looks funky but remains functional.

Here are 9 reasons that they have become a must-have accessory!

1 They're the perfect accessory for dribbling babies. (And we all know how much babies dribble when they're teething!)

2 Bandana bibs keep babies comfortable and content by drawing moisture away from their chins, necks and chests, keeping them free of soreness and chafing that dribble often creates. 

3 Rather than the boring, traditional bibs, bandana bibs make your baby look stylish! Sometimes toddlers still dribble, but whose toddler wants to wear a baby bib all day? There comes a point where they've got to maintain their street cred, mum. The bandana bib looks more like a fashion accessory than a baby bib, so they can still look cool when they drool!

4 They preserve your baby's favourite clothes, keeping them dry for longer periods of time and preventing the need for multiple outfit changes.

5 That in itself means less washing for mum to do...Winning! 

6 There's a design to compliment any outfit! From gentle denim to bold, bright stars, you can keep your baby bang on trend!

7 Did I mention that they're great?

8 Celebrities have been seen using these bibs for their babies. That counts for something, right?

9 Skibz were the first to market the scarf-bib. It has since been imitated by many different companies, from Mothercare to Joules. Why? Well, because it's such a fantastic bib design! That's a reason in itself... 

Go forth and treat your baby to a bandana bib! Of course, we'd thoroughly recommend the Skibz range for their originality and award-winning status *cough* but there's a bandana bib out there for everyone!

The Magic Of Christmas #ManOnTheMoon

Many moons ago, when Skibz first started out, John Lewis were the biggest retailer of our bibs. If you haven't yet seen their latest Christmas ad, then where have you been since Friday? You can watch it here:

I've read numerous interpretations of the advert. One article from The Guardian speaks of how the ad has a charitable spin and is raising awareness for Age UK. The piece reads:

The ad’s strapline is: “Show someone they’re loved this Christmas”, which echoes Age UK’s own campaign: “No one should have no one at Christmas”

A slightly more gloomy interpretation is outlined in a piece in the Independent. It focuses on the irony of how the man on the moon is more alone than ever at the close of the advert, and reads, 

'As we are left reeling from the emotional piece, cut to tagline; “show somebody they’re loved at Christmas”.  But this is not by inviting them into your home, but by giving them some sort of material gift that still, ironically, keeps them at the same distance they always were…half the world away.'

I must’ve completely missed the point of John Lewis’ campaign, since my own interpretation was not anywhere near thinking of the company’s intention to raise awareness of charity and the elderly who will be alone at Christmas.

Yes, the man on the moon is elderly, but I didn’t for a moment consider that this was a symbol of an elderly generation left alone this Christmas, but rather the  representation of the mythological man in the moon, who must by now be hundreds of years old. I remember, as a child, I was fascinated by the idea of a man living on the moon, looking down on me and keeping me safe. Memories of gazing out of my bedroom window at night into the starlit sky in hope of catching sight of him are some of my most treasured and magical. To me, this is what Christmas is about; creating enchanting childhood memories, and preserving innocence by leading little ones to believe in a magical man who doesn’t really exist. Much like Father Christmas, no?

Six-year-old Lily is a little girl with an imagination. The days are shorter, and at this time of year Lily will be seeing much more of the moon before it is her bedtime. Throughout the summer, she was probably in bed before it was even visible, so now, with winter drawing in and the nights longer, Lily is seeing the moon in all its glory for longer. She’s developed a fascination with it. She’s encapsulated by its beauty and enchantment and feels secure in the idea that there is a wise old man looking out for her from afar. She loves him, like any child could feel a bond with an imaginary friend, and while he exists in her mind her purity is protected.

The man on the moon is in her imagination. The man on the moon is her imagination, her innocence and her naivety. By gifting him with a telescope, she is indulging her innocence and allowing it to stay in contact with her just a little longer, before many more years pass and Christmas becomes less about the excitement and joy of the hustle and bustle, about licking the Christmas cake mix spoon and hanging up decorations and cuddling up to relatives after an exhausting day celebrating, and far more about iPads and designer handbags and materialism.

That’s how I saw it, anyway. I was overwhelmed with emotion, because in Lily I saw a little bit of little me, and realised that I’d forgotten about the magic of Christmas. By the end of the advert my eyes were streaming. (To be fair, I produced one lone tear, but went to wipe it away with a finger that still had chilli on it from preparing dinner. Note to self: Wash hands after cooking with chillis. Chillis burn your eyes.)

'Show someone they’re loved this Christmas' with a simple, childlike gesture. Reignite the magic in your mind. Remember how Christmas felt when you were small.

Thank you for making Christmas magical for me again, John Lewis.

Jem x

Oh So Organic, Baby!

We're teaming up with Kokoso to offer you an opportunity to win a wonderfully soft and organic prize for baby.

For your chance to win a Vanilla Organic Skibz dribble bib, made from bamboo making it super soft and suitable from birth AND a pot of Kokoso, the 100% natural and organic coconut oil to nourish and moisturise babies' skin, join us on Twitter and Facebook.  

The competition will start from Monday 19th of October, and winner will be announced on Monday the 26th of October. 

Follow Skibz & Kokoso on social media:

https://twitter.com/kokoso_baby
https://twitter.com/SkibzBibs
https://www.facebook.com/kokosobaby?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/Skibzbibs

Best of luck!!

Buy Kokoso here: Kokoso online shop

Buy Skibz here: Skibz online shop

Halloween Inspiration For Babies

The launch of our brand new, limited edition Halloween Skibz dribble bibs led me to wonder... What else is out there on the market for babies this Halloween? 

Here is a collection of some of the best things I came across!

Who doesn't love The Nightmare Before Christmas? This awesome Jack Skellington baby bib is available from www.disneystore.co.uk for £13. 

timetodressup.co.uk have a range of Halloween inspired fancy dress outfits (as well as many others... including a peacock costume that was so cute I that I actually squealed) starting from £20

George at Asda  have this very cute 'Halloween Frankie & Hat' set for just £6. Wouldn't Frankie look cute with a Halloween Skibz on?

Our 'Halloween' and 'Spooky Spider' are the two latest designs in our bib range. Both of them are reversible and Pop-itz compatible, and priced at £10 from www.skibz.co.uk 

Happy Halloween!

You're Having A Giraffe! 10 Of The BEST!

Guessing Baby's Gender: Reasons To Stay Team Yellow!

Speculating the unknown gender of an unborn baby is one of the most exciting things about pregnancy. There are many old wives' tales that claim to determine whether your baby will be wearing pink or blue.

NEWS FLASH!

NEWS FLASH!

Not Top Baby Names: Unusual Boys' Names

Choosing the right name for your baby is one of the most important and difficult decisions you'll ever have to make. It will carry them through life, be subjected to judgement, be a part of who they become and it will be theirs to keep forever.

We often see lists of popular and favourite baby names, but here at Skibz, we've composed a list of uncommon baby names; the slightly more unusual, perhaps a little quirky, but equally beautiful baby names for your beautiful baby boy.

CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT FROM SKIBZ

NEW TO THE SKIBZ RANGE THIS WEEK are 5 brand new, reversible Doublez bib designs and a brand new product, Pop-itz.

Not Top Baby Names: Unusual Girls' Names

Choosing the right name for your baby is one of the most important and difficult decisions you'll ever have to make. It will carry them through life, be subjected to judgement, be a part of who they become and it will be theirs to keep forever.

We often see lists of popular and favourite baby names, but here at Skibz, we've composed a list of less common, more unusual, perhaps a little quirky, but equally beautiful baby names for your beautiful baby girl.

That Awkward Moment When...

...your child asks one of those questions!

Our Own Royal Baby BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!

The Skibz team had only just been discussing potential names for the new prince or princess when Lucy happened to glance out of the office window to see that we'd just had a new arrival of our own.

5 Day #OfficePhotoChallenge

Last week the ladies in the Skibz HQ office decided that, just for a bit of extra fun in among the "fun" day-to-day office tasks, they'd do a 5 day #officephotochallenge - and to spread the fun further, they decided to nominate fellow office employees!