Newborn gadgets - Feeding essentials

There are an overwhelming array of products out there for first time parents. A great deal of them tap into the fact that, I for one, certainly didn't have a clue what I was doing.  Apparently you simply MUST wipe baby's bottom with a heated wet wipe... who knew! Luckily we moved house only a few weeks before Baby Bear was born so with little time and space to buy and store such paraphernalia our main focus was to simply have somewhere for her to sleep and to paint her room.... given she didn't actually sleep in there for the first 6 months I really don't understand why this was a priority. I blame the call to nest!

I was recently asked to compile a list of what not to buy; highlighting the often too common pitfalls that first time parents encounter. As most purchases were made after Lena was born they came out of necessity and then, because it's me, an outrageous level of research. So, here is my list of things I wish I had bought in preparation, apart from the obvious huge numbers of sleep suits, burp cloths, crib and of course Ewan the sheep which was gifted to me by my wondrous mother.

The first of three posts tackles feeding essentials. 

Spelt Blueberry Loaf

Baking to me is a complicated science, one that I really do not understand. I manage to cook savoury meals with an element of creativity and dare I say it, flair, but baking is another matter. Biscuits I manage to cope with, but anything that requires rise is definitely not my forte. Poor Dominic has had to taste test the most horrendous concoctions. The latest being a spelt, chocolate, whole boiled orange cake that quite literally could have been used as a deadly rubber weapon. I have learnt so much whilst trying so desperately hard to be good at baking. For example, coconut oil sucks the air out of a cake so always fold it in at the last minute, banana as a butter substitute will never work with an acidic cake i.e the orange one I speak of before, and that too many eggs can turn a cake into a tyre.

So, when it comes to cake baking I am on the hunt for the much more knowledgeable. Now, in my pre-Lena-sugar-filled-snack-days my go to recipes came from the likes of Delia, Mary Berry, Peyton & Byrne, Hummingbird Bakery and Magnolia Bakery (a book I thankfully loaned to a friend and subsequently can't remember who, otherwise I'm sure I would have more fillings by now!) But when it comes to no sugar bakes I am still discovering those masters. The lovely Melissa over at My Wholefood Life has a wonderful list of treats, and after trying out this little number I'm collating my own list of to what to try next!

Get Crafty: Fleece Welly Liners

Lena loves any excuse to get her wellies on, but there is something about 'Welly Foot Chills' that even a warm bath is rarely able to get rid of. I find it takes absolutely ages to get my feet warm again after a trip out in some brightly coloured rubber boots.

Fleece welly liners are therefore an absolute must. I love the ones that fold over the top edge of the boot and I'm thrilled to have discovered a tutorial that not only tells me how to make them, but how to make cool fox ones!

Head on over to Crafty Kitty to get the full tutorial, as well as a guide on how to flatlock. 

Snapshot: Woodland Trampoline

Get Crafty: Clay Opera

I have a renewed desire to try my hand at pottery again thanks to the hugely creative Marta at Clay Opera. She has some new additions to her lovely Etsy shop, which I'm sure will be snapped up quickly. Here are my absolute favourites:

Charles the Rabbit, £23.76

Maurice the Cat, £21.32

Aurelius the Pig, £23.76