Tips and advice

Toddlers are at a stage in their lives where they are exploring everything around them. They are starting to develop their own likes and dislikes, which can make mealtime difficult. Though there are things to make toddler mealtimes a little bit easier, such as baby dinner sets and fun plates, little ones that turn breakfast, lunch and dinner into a challenge. Successful Navigate Toddler Mealtimes With These Top Tips There is no denying that toddler mealtimes cause a lot of stress, worry and annoyance for parents. If you’re not worrying that they are eating enough, you are worrying that they are not eating the correct food. If you’re not trying to keep them engaged and entertained, you are tidying up the food that’s been thrown on the floor. Simply, kids eating can be chaotic.  It is important to make mealtimes a fun and enjoyable experience for your toddler, as well as yourself. So, to help you out, we have compiled some of our top tips on how to make breakfast, lunch and dinner better for your little one.  Serve Your Toddler Their Favourite Foods - If there’s one thing that we all know about toddlers, it’s that they are very fussy and picky with what they like to eat. Though they could like something one day, that doesn’t mean they will like it the next day. That is why serving your child their favourite food is a good way to reduce the stress of mealtimes. Of course, it’s not something you can do every day, but serving them their favourite food is a good way to ensure they eat something and remain happy. There are lots of recipes out there for fun meals for kids, which are packed full of vegetables whilst still being something a toddler is likely to eat. Make Mealtimes Fun - You can also try turning mealtimes into a game by playing with your toddler before or after they have eaten. This isn’t to say you should encourage them to throw food around or mess about, but coming up with little games is a good way to show them that mealtimes can be fun. You could also encourage your little one to get involved with the preparation of their meal, to show them how interesting cooking and eating can be. It’s also key that you don't force your child to eat if they are not hungry or refuse the food, as this can create stress around mealtimes. Create a Routine - Establishing a regular routine around mealtimes will help your toddler feel more comfortable, relaxed and confident with what is happening at this time of day. They will quickly begin to understand what to expect at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus, they will soon realise what is expected of them, what they are praised for and the type of behaviour that is not acceptable. It’s also recommended to keep mealtimes to (roughly!) the same time each day and in the same location, so it becomes a task they recognise. Make Mealtimes a Family Affair - One way to make mealtime enjoyable is by making it interactive. Mealtime should be a time for the whole family to come together and have conversations while they eat. There should be no distractions or screens, so you can focus on your kids eating. It's also important that you do not rush through your child’s meals, as this will lead to them eating less food and not getting the necessary nutrients they need. Though you might end up sitting at the table long after you have finished, always try to give your child the time they need to eat. Keep Mealtimes Short - A lot of parents make the mistake of having mealtimes that are long and, as far as a young child is concerned, boring. As long as you offer a variety of healthy foods and give your child enough time to eat what they can, there is very little benefit to having a long mealtime. The majority of children will stop eating once they are full, and then a long mealtime quickly becomes a source of annoyance for them.  As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do to make mealtimes more enjoyable for toddlers. Though things aren’t going to change overnight, making small changes can encourage your child to relax and enjoy mealtimes as much as possible. Before you know it, they will be looking forward to dinner time just as much as everyone else.  Baby Dinner Sets and Fun Plates At Nordic Stork, we understand how difficult it can be to handle toddler mealtimes. Whether you have a little one who loves trying new food or a picky eater, whether you have a child who loves sitting at the table or one who would rather be anywhere else, feeding a toddler can be tough. This is why we offer a wide range of baby dinner sets, fun plates, cutlery and silicone bowls. All of these products are natural and Scandi in design, meaning they look great at table whilst also being durable.  Once you are equipped with toddler friendly accessories, you have everything you need to make mealtimes enjoyable. Not only is a toddler more likely to enjoy using a colourful placement and smaller cutlery - it’s common for a young child to enjoy using items that they know are especially for them to use - but you don't have to worry about them breaking a precious plate or hurting themselves on standard cutlery. Instead of worrying about them eating, you can focus on your own meal.  One of the main things to remember with toddler mealtimes is to relax as much as you can. As long as you are providing healthy food and a variety of textures, your toddler will soon get the hang of how to act at mealtimes. Food is a source of enjoyment and comfort for many people, and it’s important to show your child that mealtimes can be fun. They are a time to socialise and bond as a family, not a punishment or reason to have a tantrum.

You only have to spend a minute or two browsing online newborn gifts to see just how many items there are for babies. However, new mums tend to get overlooked somewhat. Though it’s generous to buy a gift for a new baby, and we’re sure any parent will gladly accept a gift on behalf of their child, it's likely that the mum herself needs a thing or two. After all, she suddenly has a newborn to care for. She is likely to find herself limited when it comes to getting out and about, and so a gift can make a big difference. A gift for a new mum shows that, though you are excited for the birth of her child, you are thinking of her also. Knowing what to buy for a new mum can be difficult, especially as you are unlikely to know what she needs or wants. This is why it’s usually best to keep things simple, to choose something that all new parents can benefit from in one way or another. For example, every parent can benefit from a supply of nappies and wipes. Similarly, there isn’t a parent out there that won’t happily welcome a gift card or new muslin blankets.  What To Buy A New Mum? The best gifts for new mothers are ones that will make her life easier. Whether it be a gift card for a local supermarket or for an online retailer, or something for the baby, the gift should help her get the things she needs to take care of her newborn. The first few months of a new baby's life can be challenging for the mum, especially if it’s her first child. She is likely to face many challenges in her day to day life, and it’s not uncommon for a new mum to feel as though her world has been turned upside down. To help you to find the perfect new mum and baby gifts, we have created a list of gifts that are perfect for any new parent. Whether you choose a nursing pillow or a gift card, a teething toy or a blanket, we are sure your gift will be appreciated.  Supermarket Gift Card - Something that a lot of people overlook is a new mum’s inability to pop to the supermarket. This is why it’s a good idea to get a gift card for a supermarket, so she can pick out what she needs. If she doesn't have enough time to go shopping, she can do everything online. Baby Store Gift Card - A baby store gift card is a great gift for new mums, as it allows her to buy anything she might be missing. Once she has brought her newborn home, she’s likely to realise that she needs a few more things. As baby items can be expensive, a gift card could encourage her to splurge on something she really wants. A Nursing Pillow - To help a new mum comfortably breastfeed her baby, consider buying her a nursing pillow. This will allow her to nurse her baby while sitting on the sofa or in bed, without having to worry about being uncomfortable after long hours of breastfeeding. Receiving Blankets - Receiving blankets are hugely versatile, which is why all parents should stock up. A lot of parents underestimate how many receiving blankets they need and you can never have enough, which makes them a great gift for a newborn baby and mother. It’s something you can gift to a new mum, without worrying whether she already has some. Swaddling Blankets - A lot of mums swaddle babies at night and during nap times, and having multiple swaddling blankets is useful. After all, you never know when a baby will make a mess on one. There are a lot of swaddle blankets out there, many of which have beautiful patterns and designs. Nappies, Wipes and Changing Essential - There is no denying the importance of nappies, wipes, creams and changing essentials. These are things all mums use a lot of and though they aren’t the most exciting gifts for new mums, they are guaranteed to be well received and useful.  A Baby Teething Toy - There are a lot of baby teething toys to choose from, many of which can be found at Nordic Stork. These are used to reduce the pain a baby might feel when they are teething. Not only do they benefit a baby by relieving some of the soreness, but they help a new mum by keeping the baby calm and soothed.  Bibs - We all know how messy babies can be, which is why bibs are a useful and practical gift. Babies get through multiple bibs a day, and every new mum is sure to welcome additions to her stockpile. You could opt for simple bibs, or go for some that have a sweet design or pattern. Vests and Short Sleeved Onesies - A lot of people buy special baby clothes for a new mum, but most overlook the essentials. A newborn baby will spend a lot of their first few months wearing vests and short sleeved onesies. A Play Mat - If you know anything about newborn babies, you will know how important tummy time is. Though a baby can do tummy time on any flat surface, a play mat gives them a colourful and engaging place to lie. It’s one of the top gifts for a newborn baby and mother. At Nordic Stork, you can choose from a wide range of lovely plat mats. As you can see, there are a lot of new mum and baby gifts out there. You won’t find yourself short of choice or struggling to choose something, not with so many options to choose from. You could choose a keepsake or a toy, or you could choose something that’s practical and useful. You could choose to buy something for the baby or the new mum, or something that can be used by them both. Simply, you will always be able to find your ideal gifts for new mums. Gifts for Newborn Baby and Mother at Nordic Stork Don’t make the mistake of assuming that Nordic Stork only focuses on baby and toddler toys, as this couldn’t be further from the truth. You will always find a whole host of gifts that are perfect for a first time mum or new parent. All you need to do is browse our collection and select the gift that takes your fancy. To find out more about what to buy a new mum, browse Nordic Stork or get in touch with our helpful team.

When a baby is born, parents are inundated with recommendations and suggestions of what they should be doing with their child. There’s advice on feeding and sleeping, playing and socialising, and opinions differ hugely. However, one thing that everyone can agree on is the importance of tummy time. There are a lot of different ways to do tummy time; some parents choose to use a baby activity blanket and others use a tummy time playmat, some parents use tummy time toys and others use this time to introduce age appropriate books. There really is no right or wrong way of doing tummy time, as long as your baby has the vital opportunity to build up their strength and muscles.  The Benefits of Tummy Time Activities There are a number of benefits that come with newborn tummy time, which is why professionals and parents alike are keen proponents of tummy time activities. A lot of people are aware that newborn tummy time helps babies to develop strong neck and shoulder muscles. However, there are actually many more benefits to be aware of. For example, tummy time promotes motor skills and can prevent flat head syndrome. It can also help a baby to build up the strength to roll up, sit up, crawl and walk. Though a newborn won’t be at the crawling and walking stage for a while, tummy time can help them to build the strength needed for the eventual transition. With so many benefits to tummy time, it makes sense to start tummy time activities from a young age. You can begin tummy time from the newborn stage, gradually increasing the length of time and frequency with age. Everything You Need to Know About Newborn Tummy Time There is a lot of information out there about newborn tummy time, which can make it difficult to know how it all works. To help you out, we have compiled some key pieces of information on everything you need to know about tummy time. The best way to start tummy time is by spreading out a baby activity blanket or tummy time playmat on the floor - you should choose an area that is flat - and laying your little one down on their belly. For young babies, you should start with three to five minutes of tummy time. This amount can be gradually increased as they age. As your child gets older, they will be able to stay on their belly for longer. For newborn tummy time, you can start by laying your baby on your chest for a minute or two. This can be done up to three times a day, though some babies will enjoy tummy time less than others. As they get older, you can transition them to a blanket or tummy time playmat on the floor. It’s best to do tummy time when your baby is awake and alert, such as after a nappy change or after bath time. This is when they will be most likely to enjoy and engage in tummy time. To ensure your baby enjoys tummy time as much as possible, consider buying some appropriate tummy time toys. There are a lot of baby tummy time toys to choose from, so you won’t be short of choice. You can keep tummy time interesting by using a variety of toys and venturing outside; there is no reason as to why your baby can’t enjoy tummy time at the park. Essential Tummy Time Toys With a quick Google search, you will see that there are a tonne of baby tummy time toys out there. At Nordic Stock, we focus our attention on Scandi and natural baby toys that are sustainable. You only need to spend a minute or two browsing our collection to see just how many baby tummy time toys are available. With so much choice, you might be torn on which tummy time toys to start with. To help you out, we have listed some of the most popular. Activity Mat or Baby Gym -Though you can certainly do tummy time with a blanket on the floor, a lot of parents opt for an activity mat or baby gym. These are specifically designed to keep a baby engaged and entertained when they do tummy time, and they are stimulating without the need for additional toys. Light Up Toys - There is no denying that little ones light up toys, which is why they are a popular option for tummy time. Instead of placing your baby on the floor without something to look at, you can entertain them with a light up toy. This is especially beneficial if your child doesn’t enjoy tummy time or they are easily bored. Board or Fabric Book - It’s never too early to get your child interested in books, and you can start with newborns. There are a tonne of board and fabric books to choose from, all of which have been designed to be stimulating to a baby. Placing a book in front of them when they are doing tummy time provides them with something to look at and somewhere to focus their attention. Baby Mirror - Baby mirrors are not recommended for children under three months of age, but they are the ideal tummy time toy for infants that are a little bit older. They introduce a baby to their reflection and offer a stimulating, engaging and enjoyable form of entertainment. They give your child something to look at and focus on when they are doing tummy time. As you can see, tummy time is something that all parents and guardians should be doing with their infants. Whether you have a newborn or a four month old, tummy time is equally important. At Nordic Stork, we provide everything you need to make tummy time something to look forward to. You can choose from a selection of beautiful blankets and playmats, or treat your baby to a sustainable tummy time toy. Whichever you choose, tummy time is sure to give your baby a much needed boost.

Whether you are a parent or guardian yourself, or you have a friend’s little one to love, you are bound to enjoy buying toys and gifts for the baby in question. There are a lot of options out there, but time and time again people come back to baby soft toys. This is because baby soft toys are universally loved, appealing to a baby of any age and many become treasured possessions. Think about it, many newborn baby soft toys that are given as gifts become a newborn cuddly toy that the child cannot do without. Simply, you can’t go wrong by giving a little one a soft toy. Luckily, there are lots of options and you certainly won’t find yourself short of choice. Why You Should Choose Newborn Baby Soft Toys There are a lot of toys out there for babies and newborns, so knowing which are right for your child can be tough. Though there are rarely any toys that would be deemed bad or inappropriate - baby toys are generally created with the needs of a little one in mind - there are certainly some toys that are better than others. For us, a lot of the top options are soft toys for babies.  There are a lot of reasons to choose soft toys for babies, some of which we will take a look at below, but the major reason to choose newborn baby soft toys is that they are safe. There are no sharp edges, no small parts and nothing that is likely to break off. This is hugely important, as it reduces the risk of your child accidentally hurting themselves during play. It’s also beneficial that a newborn cuddly toy or soft toy is extremely lightweight and easy to take from A to B. There is no need to worry about bringing a big and bulky toy with you, as a soft toy can squash down to fit into small spaces. The Advantages of Soft Toys for Babies As there are a lot of advantages that come with buying soft toys for babies, we have focused our attention on the top four. They’re Educational - A lot of people underestimate the educational value that soft toys can have, just because they are not bright and bold electronic devices. They can help to teach a little one a lot of important skills, such as tucking themselves into bed or changing their clothes. These are both things that a child can ‘practice’ with a cuddly toy. You can use a soft toy to demonstrate how to do different tasks. They Provide Comfort - There is no denying that babies love comforters and blankets, they use them to comfort themselves and to create a sense of safety. Soft toys work in the same way, and many can provide a baby with an additional sense of security. If they are somewhere new or feeling unsure, they have a comforting friend to reassure them. Like comforters, soft toys can help to keep a baby calm and relaxed. They Encourage Language and Communication - From the moment they are born, babies hear language all around them. This is how they learn to speak, learn how to communicate and become fluent in a native language. Though a lot of what they learn comes from spending time with their parents and being spoken to, soft toys can also play a big part. Making cuddly toys talk and telling stories using soft toys are practical ways of teaching sounds, words and language. It’s also a good way to show a child how to take turns when talking and how the foundations of a conversation work. They Help Children to Develop Social Skills - It’s important for a child to learn social skills and this begins at a young age, and it’s something soft toys for babies can help with. Young children who are encouraged to play with soft toys from early childhood have the opportunity to interact, connect and bond with their soft toy friends. They can pretend to be someone else in a role play game and this teaches them how to be social in different scenarios, how to react to others and how to communicate effectively.  The Best Soft Toys for Babies At Nordic Stork, you will find a wide range of gorgeous soft toys for babies and newborns. All of our toys are Scandi and natural, meaning they are just as enjoyable for you as they are for your little one. As it can be difficult to narrow down your options, we have handpicked three of our favourite soft toys.  Fabelab Soft Organic Baby Bunny in Light Grey - This beautiful bunny is the ideal soft toy for any baby. Not only does it provide them with a cuddly friend to play with, but the softness of this organic toy makes it ideal for hugging and snuggling. Thread Bear Pippa Rag Doll - The Thread Bear Pippa Rag Doll is extremely popular and we can see why. After all, who doesn’t love a rag doll? There are endless adventures and stories to be created with Pippa, and she’s the perfect companion wherever your little one goes. Fabelab Big Buddy Bunny - Sometimes, bigger really is better and that’s certainly the case with the Fabelab Big Buddy Bunny. This cuddly toy is big enough to hug and cuddle with, but friendly enough to play with. It’s a soft toy that’s sure to get your child’s imagination going. There is no denying that there are a lot of soft toys for babies at Nordic Stork, so why not browse our collection today? It doesn’t matter whether you choose a rag doll or a cuddly bunny, your child will cherish having a soft toy to call their own. You will find everything from dolls to books, from cuddly toys to soft friends. There really is something for all children, of all ages. Whichever item you choose, we are sure that your baby is going to love it. To find out more about Nordic Stork or any of our soft toys for babies, get in touch with our helpful team.