Section: Fabulous:Parenting

HE is among the world’s highest-paid male models, with smouldering good looks and a six-pack you could grate cheese on.

But David Gandy has swapped his jet-setting lifestyle for school runs, sleeping alone and discussions about HRT after becoming a father.

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The Essex-born hunk — who has daughters Matilda, six, and Tabitha, three, with partner Steph Mendoros — may be desired by women across the globe.

But he spent three months kipping by himself on the floor after Tabitha’s birth in 2021, because she was taking up his side of the bed.

In his most candid interview yet, David — who shot to fame wearing tiny white briefs in Dolce & Gabbana ads — tells the latest episode of Fabulous’ No Parental Guidance podcast: “Steph, in the first few months, was sleeping with the baby and was breastfeeding.

“And just so she got a good night’s sleep, she would have the baby there falling asleep.

“That is a situation where you are just going to be a hindrance. You are taking up room. You can’t help.”

He adds: “So when we were building our house, Steph had just given birth to Tabs.

I failed at labour. I kind of turned into George Clooney from ER and thought, “I’m delivering this baby. I was at the business end and the midwifehad to ask me to get out of the way

David

“We were staying in Steph’s old flat while the house was being built, and Matilda had this little room.

“I had nowhere to sleep. I slept on the floor for three months. I had to spin like a dog, trying to find somewhere to sleep.

‘Christmas alone’

“But as long as your partner can get sleep, that’s the main thing. I am fine with no sleep. Steph is awful.”

Since settling down with Steph, a barrister, heartthrob David is now more likely to be found hanging out with the other dads at the school gates than strutting his stuff on the catwalk.

And it seems the menopause is a hot topic for men as well as women.

“The dads have had the [HRT] discussion at the school gates,” David, 45, tells comedian Hannah East and model and influencer Louise Boyce, who host the podcast.

“They say, ‘Get the patch’. Then one dad will go, ‘They’re very horny on the patch!’.”

David and Steph got together in 2016 and daughter Matilda was born two years later.

The model admits that when his girlfriend went into labour, he turned into George Clooney’s character Dr Doug Ross from US hospital drama, ER.

“I failed at labour,” he says. “We still argue about it. I kind of turned into George Clooney from ER and thought, ‘I’m delivering this baby’.

Of course I tried the gas and air. They told me to go and have a sleep and then Steph needed me and the midwife had to go back to Steph and say, ‘I can’t wake him up

David

“I was down at the business end. The midwife had to ask me if she could have her stool back and if I could get out of the way.”

Like most men, David could not resist having a sneaky puff of the gas and air intended to relieve labour pains — only for it to knock him out completely.

He reveals: “Of course I tried the gas and air. They told me to go and have a sleep and then Steph needed me and the midwife had to go back to Steph and say, ‘I can’t wake him up’,” he recalls.

It is all a world away from David’s globe-trotting days as a top-earning male model with an estimated £12million fortune.

After growing up in Billericay, he went on to study marketing at the University of Gloucestershire, where his flatmate entered him into a modelling competition on ITV’s This Morning without his knowledge.

He went on to win a contract with Select Model Management — and a star was born.

His now- infamous campaign for Dolce and Gabanna’s Light Blue fragrance in 2007 — which saw him squeeze into tiny white trunks to cavort on a boat with a brunette — set women’s pulses racing and launched him to stardom.

He now has more than one million followers on Instagram as well as 25million likes on TikTok, not to mention high-profile campaigns for Burberry and Hugo Boss.

After meeting Steph and becoming a dad, he cut back on the commitments that involved him take around 100 flights a year, and has recently launched his own line of underwear for his David Gandy Wellwear brand.

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But it could have ended very differently for David — who has also had high-profile romances with singer Mollie King, musical theatre actress Samantha Barks and TV host Laura Whitmore — because he thought Steph had stood him up on their first date nine years ago.

“We met through one of my good friends,” he recalls.

“We kind of knew each other before — we only lived a mile and a half away from each other. We arranged to go for a date, but Steph has a terrible sense of direction and ended up in the wrong pub.”

He adds: “When me and Steph got together, there was a discussion, like ‘When are we having children?’.

“I said I’ve been working solidly. I didn’t take holidays. I didn’t take time off.

“I spent Christmas alone because I was so exhausted sometimes. I just want two years of us two to enjoy being together’.”

Now, having had two kids with Steph, David thinks there should be more education for men about the hormone changes women go through when they embrace parenthood.

“When babies are born, no one ever tells the husband about the hormones,” he says. “Your wife’s hormones are all over the place, before and after giving birth.

I think we are so scared to let our children even out the front door

David

“No one explains that you are probably going to be wrong about everything for the next year and to just put up with it. Just go, ‘OK darling’.”

‘Give kids freedom’

While, nowadays, parents are often super-protective and more overbearing than previous generations, David is making a conscious effort to relax when it comes to raising his daughters.

He explains: “I’m trying to tell myself not to be too protective.

“I think we are so scared to let our children even out the front door.

At nine years old, I was on a bike going through Billericay, travelling five miles out, and my parents were like, ‘It’s cool’.

“My kids are outside for 20 seconds at a supermarket and I’m panicking. I just think we need to allow our kids a bit more freedom.

“That’s advice for all of us — ‘Don’t worry, no one knows what they’re doing’. Generally, everyone turns out OK.”

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But while he tries to be laid back, David, who is also an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, admits he is not a fan of the trend for “gentle parenting”.

He says: “I teach them, ‘You’re not having iPads. First of all, you have a conversation around the dinner table’.

“I take colouring stuff and I always make sure they’re entertained so they are not bored.

“But they are very polite. I’ve always said, ‘You don’t talk to someone like that. You don’t ask someone like that. Go and get it yourself. Go and do it yourself’.

“I got to a point with my mum and dad where they just needed to give me a look. It seems to work.

“My mum’s best threat that used to shut me up really quickly was, ‘I’m going to come and take your pants down in front of everyone and smack your bum’.

“My mum and dad never smacked me, but it was the threat of my bum being pulled out in front of everyone.”

And while his children might have excellent table manners, David jokes they treat him like a live-in chef at their home in London’s Richmond Park.

He says: “We have a pretty good rhythm going now. I do mornings — the kids are up with me.

“I do the breakfast, which they order from me.

“I am the waiter. I say, ‘What would you like? Do you want porridge today?’.

“And they say, ‘Daddy, I don’t want porridge, I want waffles. Can I have waffles with honey?’. Matilda musy think she’s at a Michelin-star restaurant.

“It’s actually not that chaotic. I put everything out in the evening as I am not a morning person.

“I’m OK once I get to my espresso machine.”

YOU’VE just about got your head around how to look after one small person, and suddenly there’s another one about to be thrown into the mix.

While there’s a lot to be said for having children close in age – a playmate for life, cute matching outfits and parents who haven’t long forgotten the chore of changing nappies and nighttime feeds – caring for two under two is a daunting task.

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Sarah Campus, founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS, is a mum-of-three-under-seven, so knows a thing or two about multi-tasking toddlers and babies.

Here Sarah, who lives in London, shares her top tips for staying sane and keeping both your little ones happy – and the essential items she wouldn’t have been without.

Before baby arrives, Sarah recommends encouraging your toddler to engage in independent play. 

“Get them used to having short periods of playing alone with toys, books or safe activities,” she says. 

“This will build their confidence – and yours – as it will help your toddler then cope when you need to feed, change or settle the newborn.

“Also practice encouraging your toddler to learn to wait a short moment – tell them ‘just a minute, I’ll be right back’ – and then going on to praise them for being patient. 

“This will prepare them for times when the newborn’s needs must come first.”

Sarah also suggests getting your older child involved in simple tasks, such as helping to fetch wipes, tidying toys or choosing a story.

“This builds a sense of responsibility and reduces jealousy when you involve them in caring for the baby,” she explains. 

“Practising independent self-care skills, like encouraging your toddler to climb into their high chair on their own, eating with a spoon, or starting to tidy up their own toys also helps free you up when your hands are full.”

Sarah says establishing a consistent sleep routine with your toddler, if you haven’t already, is key to getting through that first year with two under two.

“Working towards predictable nap and bedtime patterns before the newborn comes will hopefully ensure a more rested toddler, meaning they are less likely to become overwhelmed or act up when the newborn demands your attention at odd hours and odd times,” she says.

Meeting their sibling

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You may well have found your toddler showed little interest in your bump or the prospect of their new sibling while you were pregnant – but it’s still worth trying to prepare them for the new arrival.

Sarah says: “Talk about the new baby coming early on using age-appropriate language – such as ‘the baby will need lots of cuddles and milk’ – and read picture books about becoming a big sibling.

“Involve them in preparations, too. Let your toddler help choose a blanket, toy or outfit for the baby. It gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

“Practise gentle touch by using a doll or soft toy to show how to stroke gently, hold hands or kiss the baby.”

When meeting the baby for the first time, Sarah recommends having the newborn in the cot or someone else’s arms when your toddler walks in, so you can greet them with open arms first. 

“You could even get a little present for the toddler from the newborn as it helps the toddler feel special,” she says.

Practise gentle touch by using a doll or soft toy to show how to stroke gently, hold hands or kiss the baby

Sarah Campus

From then on, try to keep routines consistent – stick to familiar meals, naps and play routines as much as possible. 

“Predictability reassures toddlers in times of change,” Sarah says. “Involve the toddler in jobs such as passing nappies, singing to the baby or choosing which outfit to wear, so that they don’t feel left out.

“Be sure to give your toddler some one-to-one time where they have your undivided attention, to make them feel secure and less likely to act up.

“Acknowledge big feelings – expect some jealousy or regressions, like wanting to be carried or using a dummy again. 

“Reassure them it’s normal and give lots of praise for ‘big sibling’ behaviour. Use praise generously – give them lots when they are gentle, patient, or helpful. Toddlers thrive on positive feedback.”

A great piece of kit for helping your toddler feel ‘involved’ and keeping them engaged, especially when caring for a newborn, is a toddler tower.

The ‘Little Hands’ tower from Baby Elegance is sturdy, stylish and brings them up to kitchen counter height – just make sure nothing harmful is in reach!

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Getting prepared

One of the biggest considerations ahead of baby’s arrival is which style of pram to opt for – with budget and practicality top of the list of priorities.

It’s worth checking out local mum groups on social media to see if anyone is selling one second-hand – but while that might be lighter on your purse, you may end up having to compromise on other elements.

With two under two, it’s likely you’ll need to think about purchasing a double buggy – or additional parts for your existing pram if it can be modified to transport two children, like the Joolz Geo 3.

Styles of double buggy vary massively, but for the first six months you’ll need one that can take a bassinet for your new arrival, and a seat for your toddler.

There are side-by-side models that offer this but they tend to be quite wide, making it tricky when it comes to fitting through doorways and getting on public transport.

A great, budget-friendly option if you’re looking to buy a brand new pram is the ickle bubba Virgo Travel System.

The Virgo Growing Family 11 Piece Pram offers a whopping 17 possible configurations to suit your growing brood, including two seat units and a carrycot, two footmuffs, two rain covers, a changing rucksack and mat, a buggy organiser and even a cup holder, all for £629.

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Once your little one is comfortable sitting up you could transition to a side-by-side buggy. The advantages of this, Sarah points out, are that both children get the same view, can see all around, and interact with each other.

Narrow models include the Mountain Buggy Duet – which Sarah recommends – and the cheaper Baby Jogger city tour 2 Double, which is just 66.5cm wide and also comes with a handy 5kg capacity storage basket.

While slightly wider, the Nuna TRVL dubl is still very lightweight and suitable for children from birth up to a generous 22kg per seat – great if you have a heavier toddler, as it will last you much longer.

It’s also travel system ready, so you can attach any PIPA series car seat to the wider seat without an adaptor.

If you’re after a lightweight single buggy for quick trips or travelling abroad, the Joolz Aer² is a no-brainer. Suitable from newborn to toddler, it’s easy to steer one-handed and folds up instantly at the touch of a button – plus it’s aeroplane compatible to fit in overhead lockers.

Sarah recommends getting a buggy board once your toddler is confident enough to use one.

“It gives the older child some independence – they can walk, but you have a back-up should they get tired,” she says. 

“This means that you can get out and be about fast and a lot smoother – you don’t need to carry or constantly encourage a tired toddler.

“They are much safer in busy areas as it keeps the older child close to you and you are in control of them, rather than them running ahead or in different directions. 

“It’s a lot cheaper and lighter than perhaps needing a full double buggy if the older child is mostly walking, or if you have three!”

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Another way of keeping your increasingly independent toddler close to you is a set of toddler reins.

A LittleLife backpack will probably be a more appealing option for your eldest as it features a detachable safety rein while also enabling them to carry their own snacks and toys, helping them feel ‘grown up’.

The Lascal BuggyBoard (available to buy from Cheeky Rascals) is your best bet, as it attaches to 99 per cent of pushchairs, prams and strollers, is anti-slip and comes in a wide range of colourful, fun designs.

Another great buggy accessory – especially if your storage basket is now suddenly taken up by another seat – is a pram organiser, which can double up as a handbag.

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The Bugaboo organiser is a stylish option (one for the Christmas wish list) as it attaches to your pram handle, keeping your essentials close by, has multiple pockets and a water-repellent design ideal for winter walks.

Sleep routine

If you’re blessed with a toddler who doesn’t wake up during the night, readjusting to interrupted sleep and unpredictable naps can prove challenging.

With two under two, it’s likely you’ll need two cots – though you may choose to have your little one in a next-to-me crib for the first five or six months.

It’s advisable to think ahead and consider investing in a cot that turns into a toddler bed, as this will save you having to buy a bigger one in a couple of years’ time. 

The ickle bubba Snowdown cot bed is a great option as it’s suitable from birth up to four years, and also features a handy integrated under-bed drawer, providing extra nursery room storage.

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A dual-screen baby monitor will enable you to keep an eye on your little ones simultaneously, without the need for multiple devices.

The Momcozy 5-Inch Dual-mode Smart Baby Monitor comes with two cameras – one for each room – and features two-way communication, so you can coax your toddler back to sleep should they be disturbed.

If a bath is part of your current bedtime routine, this is something your toddler and your baby can enjoy together. The Shnuggle bath is suitable from newborn – if your partner is around (and your bathroom is big enough) one of you can bathe the baby while the other sees to the older child in the big bath.

From six months old your youngest can join their sibling with a bath seat; the Little Smoby Baby Bath Time seat is safe and secure, with suction pads to keep it in place, and they can both enjoy the ‘activities’ on the tray.

Make sure your bath soap is newborn friendly – My Little Miracle Top To Toe Baby Hair and Body Wash comes in a family-friendly 500ml bottle with a pump, making it quick and easy to dispense, and is mild enough for delicate skin.

Slinging it

One of the items Sarah wouldn’t have been without is a sling. This gives you the option to be hands-free while your baby sleeps, meaning you can still interact with your toddler.

There are countless styles on the market – and you may well have found one that was the perfect fit first time around – but in the early days, the softer the better. 

For the comfort and security of a wrap without the faff of having to tie it, the dreamgenii SnuggleRoo Baby Carrier is a fantastic halfway house, ergonomically crafted to mimic the soothing embrace of the womb.

It’s made from 100 per cent cotton, making it super soft, but features adjustable straps and a support band, enabling you to easily adapt between carrying positions as your baby gets bigger.

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For on-the-go mums after a slightly sturdier carrier, the Carifit Core is a strong contender.

Its clever design, featuring enhanced neck support and a racer back, means babies feel lighter compared to being in other carriers.

Once you’re ready to try to get your baby into a more established nap routine, you’ll know from the first time around that creating the right sleep environment is key – though it’s not always easy with a noisy toddler in the house.

This is where a white noise machine can come in very handy.

The stylish heart-shaped Sleep Machine from Love to Dream offers all the regular features of a smart white noise machine – with a range of sounds, cry detection and the option for continuous or timed periods – and also doubles up as a night light.

The brand’s Swaddle Up suits are also a popular choice among mums, as they let your little one sleep in a natural ‘arms up’ position, reportedly increasing average nightly sleep from three hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 25 minutes!

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Sarah also recommends a SnoozeShade as this helps to create that dark environment conducive to sleep during the day. You can get them for prams or cots, and they’re made from an air-permeable mesh fabric that lets air flow freely.

You could also invest in a Rockit rocker. Motion can help soothe babies and keep them asleep for longer, so this clever device is super handy, especially if you stop off at a park for your toddler but want to keep your newborn snoozing in the pram.

Feeding

Whether your new baby is breast or formula fed, encouraging your little one to take a bottle can help lighten your load as a new mum-of-two, as it means your partner can step in to help out, especially if your toddler is demanding your attention.

If you choose to exclusively breastfeed, consider investing in a hands-free pump. The Medela Magic InBra pump – available as a single or double – offers hospital-grade performance but is virtually silent, lightweight and super discreet, allowing you to express on the go.

To make life even easier – especially if both your children are still using bottles – you could splash out on a bottle washer. 

Baby Brezza does a three-in-one machine which washes, sterilises and dries bottles and pump parts, killing 99.9 per cent of germs with natural steam.

You won’t need to think about a second high chair until your baby is around six months old, but should you want to ‘include’ your little one in mealtimes sooner, the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair offers a newborn attachment option.

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While on the pricier side, the great advantage of the Stokke chair is that it grows with your family – plus the stylish wood designs helps them look like part of the furniture of your kitchen, rather than yet another piece of garish plastic cluttering up your home.

One alternative, if you have a smaller kitchen or don’t fancy having multiple high chairs, is to get a ‘booster seat’ that attaches to an existing chair.

The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster seat is nice and lightweight while still sturdy (great for taking on holiday, to a restaurant or on a trip to the grandparents), comes with a removable serving tray, and takes up minimal storage space.

Sarah’s number one piece of advice is to be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“Lower all expectations and take each day as it comes,” she says. “Not only is it all new for your toddler, it’s new for you as well – plus your hormones will be up and down. 

“Be sure to ask for help from others. It takes some of the pressure off you and will help you with the transition, too.”

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A BARGAIN hunter mother has shared a stern warning to parents about a viral buy from The Range.

Last year, mums and dads were racing to stores desperate to get their hands on the must-have buy that was sure to make the festive season even more special.

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And earlier this month, parents were left overjoyed to see that the purse-friendly product was now available to buy again.

But one shopper has been left very disappointed with the Large Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which she claimed is “not worth the hype.” 

Eager to alert others about the “flimsy” purchase, Emma Smith took to social media to express her frustration with the £7.99 buy.

Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, a private Facebook group with 2.6 million members, the savvy shopper uploaded snaps of the huge sleigh, which was once sold-out and can hold dozens of gifts and decorations.

Alongside her post, she shared a messaged to “everybody thinking of getting The Range viral large Christmas Sleigh Hamper.”

She fumed: “I would not waste your money.”

Sharing pictures of the damaged sleigh, she snapped: “The cardboard is very flimsy.”

As well as this, she claimed: “The sleigh has collapsed to the side.”

Clearly very frustrated with her purchase, which has been described as a “fun way to display gifts” and is hailed as “the gift that keeps on giving,” Emma added: “Definitely not worth the hype!”

Emma’s post has clearly shocked many, as it was posted just 13 hours ago, but has already racked up almost 200 likes and 239 comments.

Big divide

But social media users were left totally divided – while some were thankful for her thoughts, others had “no issues” with their Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which is bound to turn your home into a magical festive scene in seconds.

One person said: “Not buying again. I was crazy to get it from The Range. When you put it away it won’t fold back up. It’s cute but not worth it and very small.” 

Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all

Facebook user

Another added: “Thank you, I was going to get one. So glad I saw this post.” 

A third commented: “Same happened to mine! Filled it with sweets and it couldn’t take the weight and the legs buckled!” 

However, at the same time, one shopper wrote: “I got these two years ago and this will be the third year I’ve used them. Mine are great. No issues with them.” 

A second chimed in: “I got two the other day and put them up and all fine.” 

Someone else beamed: “I got the large one from The Range last year and I’ll be using it again as I found it ok and didn’t have any problems with it.” 

Whilst one user observed: “Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all.”

Definitely not worth the hype!

Emma Smith

However, to this, Emma wrote back and claimed: “It wasn’t forced. The cardboard is hard regardless so you’ve got to make sure it’s put in the slots properly.” 

Meanwhile, others praised a similar sleigh hamper from B&M.

One shopper shared: “B&M ones are better and cheaper!”

Another agreed: “Got mine from B&M, £5. Sturdy and solid.”

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A YOUNG mum has revealed the reason she never gets to school on time.

Carmen Louise, from the UK, revealed she went to great lengths to avoid playground politics and ‘DryRobe mums’.

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The mum was sat in her car, possibly waiting for her kids to come out of school.

She revealed she would wait until the last minute to get out to avoid the other parents.

Carmen said: “I am the mum that waits till the very last minute to go and pick the kids up.

“I can’t deal with people.

Claiming she ‘hated everyone,’ Carmen said she avoided mum groups as much as possible.

She continued: “I don’t like those mums that are standing in a f**king group, stuck up their own b**holes wearing DryRobes.”

Carmen also joked that they all stank in their oversized rain coats.

“I just take my car. So I don’t have to speak to people,” she added.

It seemed that the mum’s vent on clicky school mums was something many others could relate to.

The video went viral on her TikTok account @carmslouise97 with over 1 million views and 77k likes.

Plenty of people took to the comments agreeing with her statement and revealed they did the exact same thing.

One person wrote: “Omg the dry robes is TRUE.”

Another commented: “For 3 months I pretended I didn’t speak English.”

“I am the mum that pays for breakfast and afterschool club to avoid people and all those mums you speak of,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “It’s funny cus I wear my dry robe but also my head phones and sunglasses so nobody can approach me, I can’t see or hear you huns.”

“Same! Cannot stand playground politics,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “I’ve been a school run mum for a few months now and it’s horrible.”

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A MUM has been praised after sharing the genius hack she swears by to give her kids a toy room without making her house look messy.

As a home schooling mum, Paige has devoted a whole room in her abode to her kids’ learning – which also contains some toys.

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But as any parent knows, toys eventually make their way into different rooms, and can end up making the house look untidy.

So Paige came up with a clever idea to let her kids play in the lounge – one of the main family areas of the home – without it turning into another toy room.

In a video on her TikTok page, the mum-of-three showed the kitchen, toy room and lounge, all of which looked perfectly neat and tidy.

She then took the camera to behind the sofa, where she had set aside a large area for toys to go.

“Having a little mini toy room behind the couch was the best decision!” she wrote over the top of the video.

Thanks to the positioning of the sofa, the area is entirely invisible until you’re right on top of it.

And it also means that Paige doesn’t have to deal with tidying it up until she wants to.

“Really has help the house look a bit cleaner haha!” she added in the video caption.

People were quick to praise Paige in the comments section for the clever hack.

“This is so smart!” one wrote.

To which Paige replied: “It really works well!”

“So cute! Great idea!” another added.

“Your house is literally a dream – it’s beautiful,” a third gushed.

“Aww thank you!” Paige responded.

“We love it so much but we are growing and will need more room eventually.

“This space is huge, but tiny rooms is the down fall!”

How to baby-proof your house

IF you’ve got a baby coming very soon, here’s our top tips on how to get your home ready for their arrival…

Secure Furniture and Appliances: Use brackets or straps to anchor heavy furniture and TVs to the wall. Ensure that large appliances like fridges and ovens are stable and cannot tip over.

Install Safety Gates: Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Use gates to block off rooms that are not baby-proofed.

Cover Electrical Outlets: Use outlet covers or plates to prevent little fingers from poking into sockets. Ensure that electrical cords are out of reach or secured.

Lock Cabinets and Drawers: Install child-proof locks on cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Store hazardous substances, sharp objects, and small items that can be swallowed out of reach.

Use Corner and Edge Protectors: Attach soft corner and edge protectors to furniture with sharp edges. Consider using them on low tables, countertops, and fireplace hearths.

Secure Windows and Doors: Install window guards or locks to prevent windows from opening more than a few inches. Use door knob covers and door stoppers to prevent pinched fingers.

Maintain a Safe Sleep Environment: Use a firm mattress and avoid placing pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the cot. Ensure the cot meets current safety standards.

Keep Small Items Out of Reach: Regularly check the floor for small objects that could be choking hazards. Be mindful of items like coins, buttons, and small toys.

Adjust Water Heater Temperature: Set your water heater to a maximum of 49°C (120°F) to prevent scalding. Always test bath water temperature before placing your baby in.

Use Baby Monitors: Place baby monitors in the nursery to keep an eye on your little one. Ensure the monitor cords are out of reach to avoid strangulation hazards.

By taking these steps, you can create a safer environment for your baby.

“With all that wood accenting going on in there you could easily turn this into a hobbit house,” someone else pointed out.

Paige’s family home is located in Northern California, and is nestled within 10 acres of woodland.

She lives there with her other half and their three children – River Wildfox, Cedar Moon and Sequoia Rain.

A COUPLE has been slammed after sharing their children’s unique names online.

Aubree and Josh Jones, from the US, shared a clip of their family on social media, revealing which of them picked their kids’ names.

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The couple currently has six children and Aubree is pregnant with their seventh child.

In a recent Instagram clip, the couple revealed which of them picked their kids’ names, writing: “Who named each of the kids?”

“If you heard his picks, you would understand..” Aubree added.

But it seemed viewers weren’t convinced once they revealed each moniker, saying neither of them should be able to name any more children.

They started with their oldest daughter, named Trendy Chanelle, Aubree said she picked the first name while Josh picked her middle name.

Next was Zaylee Ruth, whose names were picked out by her mum.

Their third child was named Sunny Love, with Aubree picking the first name and Josh picking the middle.

Next up was their daughter, Truly Eclair, again, mum picked the first name while dad got dibs on the middle name.

Journey Rey came next, named by her mum and lastly, there was Rocky Joshua, named by his mum and dad.

The clip was shared on her Instagram account @whataboutaub which went viral with over 1.4 million views and 10k likes.

While the parents loved their choice of unique names, people in the comments section were clearly not impressed.

One person wrote: “These are great names for a Labubu.”

Another commented: “You realise you’re naming humans right?”

“Neither of you should be allowed to name children actually,” penned a third.

Banned Names in the UK

The UK has no law restricting names, but names that contain obscenities, numerals, misleading titles, or are impossible to pronounce are likely to be rejected when registering a child.

• Hitler
• Monkey
• Cyanide
• Martian
• Akuma
• Chow Tow
• Rogue

Meanwhile a fourth said: “What are you naming… dogs?”

“Kids are going to have a rough time in school,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Never pick a name again.”

A MUM bought Apple AirTags to keep her children safe at Disneyland – only for it to ‘ironically’ leave her daughter in hospital after swallowing the battery.

Lisa Marie says she purchased four of the tracking devices to ‘keep her children safe’ during a family trip to the theme park, but they ended up causing more harm than good.

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After realising the AirTags were broken during the holiday to the popular resort in Anaheim, California, US, in April, Lisa had stored them away in the glovebox of her car while she waited to get them repaired.

But the mum-of-four was left ‘terrified’ when her daughter Lily Grace made a ‘gulping sound’ from the back of the car on May 23 – and she realised that she’d swallowed one of the batteries.

The four-year-old was rushed to hospital where an x-ray scan revealed that the coin-sized battery had already reached her bowel.

The family faced an agonising four-day weight for Lily to pass the battery in her bowel movements – with her three siblings left ‘fearing she was going to die’.

Button batteries can cause significant damage to the lining of the child’s oesophagus or bowel – in some cases it may have burned through the lining completely to form a hole.

In 2020, two-year-old Johnathan Huff tragically died in Greensboro, North Carolina, after swallowing batteries from a remote control, which burned through his internal organs.

Thankfully Lily was left with no lasting side effects and was able to pass the battery naturally.

Lisa says she had repeatedly warned her children of the dangers of button batteries over the years, with the latest warning issued just two weeks prior to the incident.

In a social media post, Lily says her greatest fear had been a child swallowing a button battery so had repeatedly warned her children of the dangers of them over the years.

She goes on to admit the ‘irony’ of the batteries coming from Airtags she had bought to try to keep the kids safe.

The stay-at-home mum is now urging other parents to ‘throw away’ items containing button batteries.

Lisa said: “I bought the Apple Airtags to keep my kids safe. Disneyland is scary so I bought them to track my kids.

“The things that I thought would keep my kids safe are actually what caused harm.

“The AirTags weren’t working so I put them into our glove box so that we could take them to the Apple Store.

“I never ended up finding one so we came back home and I forgot they were there. I thought I’d eventually get them fixed.

“I didn’t think that my daughter would go into the glove box, let alone open up the Airtags and find a button battery and swallow it.

“She was sat in the back of the car and she made a big gulp sound and told me she’d swallowed a quarter.

“Me and my husband were like what do you mean? Why would you swallow a quarter?

“It was crazy to us that anyone would do that but when she started making sounds, all I thought it my head was that it was a button battery.”

Lisa and her husband Markus, 48, originally from the US but now living in Vancouver Island, Canada, rushed Lily to hospital where an x-ray scan revealed there was a button battery in her bowel.

She didn’t require surgery but the family faced an agonising four-day wait for the button battery to pass through in her bowel movements.

Lisa said: “As a mum, when we figured out it was a button battery I was like okay, her whole insides are burned out. I was on the bathroom floor of the hospital crying.

“It was very emotional and my husband had to dress up in surgery scrubs to see if they could scope it out.

“They couldn’t because it had gone to her bowels already – it was good that it was moving.”

They were then sent home and told to wait four days for things to progress.

“I was giving her laxatives and all kinds of things to try and get this thing out of her.

“I had her on trampolines, on a vibration plate, eating prunes, everything,” she said.

Finally, it did come out, but the emotional toll was a lot for the family.

“I didn’t sleep. It was awful. It was really hard, the other kids were like ‘I hope Lily doesn’t die’.

“I wouldn’t want that to happen to anybody else. It was very scary.”

Lisa is now urging other parents to throw out toys containing button batteries.

Lisa said: “If you have any toys that have button batteries in them then throw them out, get rid of them.

“The hard thing I’ve had is people buy gifts for the kids [which contain button batteries] so they keep showing up in my house.

“It’s like a nightmare that won’t go away. Really educate your kids. Just know that you’re never safe – be over cautious.”

MRS Hinch has hit back after trolls mum-shamed her for the “activity” she’d set up to keep her sons entertained during the summer holidays.

The 35-year-old, real name Sophie Hinchcliffe, has turned her love of cleaning into a lucrative career.

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And it seems she’s hoping that she’s passed on this love to her eldest boys – Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three.

As she took to her Instagram page this week to share a Reel which showed the pair helping her out cleaning the house.

In addition to dusting and tidying, the boys were seen changing the tablecloth in the kitchen and wiping the surfaces.

They even appeared to have inherited her home tweaks, such as her famous pillow “chop” – hitting the middle of cushions and pillows to give them a distinctive look – as Ronnie was seen copying his mum.

Alongside the video, Mrs Hinch wrote: “Here’s to raising boys who know that teamwork starts at home.

“It’s not about the mess, it’s about the message, learning that we’re a team, and everyone’s part matters.

“I would love for my boys to grow up knowing the basics of how to manage a home, not just for themselves, but so the heavy load doesn’t always fall on one partner’s shoulders.”

And while the majority of people praised Mrs Hinch for the Reel, there were also a few negative comments.

“Poor kids making them clean,” one wrote.

“Pleased you ain’t my mum. School holidays are for a reason!”

Mrs Hinch then responded in a post on her Instagram Story, as she wrote: “I don’t make my children clean the house everyday AT ALL
In fact, they want to help!

“It’s not even about the cleaning, or the mess.

“It’s about teamwork, helping each other, learning little life skills and even making it fun if I can.”

She thanked those who had left kind comments, and concluded: “And to those who feel the need to be so negative, honestly, let mums parent their kids without judgement. Please!”

And Sophie’s post was backed by others in the comments, with one writing: “I can’t believe people had a go at you over this!

“Jeez people wanna lighten up!!”

Mrs Hinch’s whopping £4.4million fortune

HOMEMAKER Sophie Hinchcliffe makes a whopping £4,313 per day. The star, known best as Mrs Hinch online, has cleaned up with bumper earnings for her social media, with reported new figures for company Mrs Hinch Limited.

In fact, according to Companies House, she has more than a million reasons to be smiling with the company’s takings in 2024 amounting to a huge £1,574,405 annual profit.

They also reveal that Sophie has amassed a huge £5 million worth of assets in her firm since it first launched.

Mrs Hinch Limited, which was set up in 2019, started off with online videos detailing cheap cleaning hacks, ways to save money, and advice to run a family home.

Sophie was also praised for her honesty when it comes to raising her sons, giving advice to mums who could be struggling, lifting the lid behind a world that could be picture perfect.

She proved so successful, she has since been expanding her businesses to multiple different ventures, including her own cleaning range, books, interior design services and baby goods.

In 2024, her company’s reported cash at bank and in hand at £4,179,283, monies due in at £748,130 and tangible assets at £81,123.

After allowing for £644,402 in bills, Sophie retained £4,364,134 worth of profits in the firm – including her latest takings.

Her assets include a £99,775 car bought in 2024 – with her latest account proving her most successful set of figures so far.

“I hadn’t seen this reel until I saw the negative comment you posted in your story, the boys seem to be having so much fun,” another added.

“I don’t see the harm in letting them help, you and Jamie are raising the boys amazingly, they are learning responsibility in a fun way.”

“This is so beautiful!” a third said.

“How anyone has found anything negative in it whatsoever I’ll never know!”

“Can’t believe some people felt the need to leave nasty comments on this – saddos,” someone else sighed.

There were also those who flooded the comments with praise for Mrs Hinch for getting her boys started so early on.

Poor kids making them clean!

TikTok troll

“Love how the boys help out, it’s so cute!” one wrote.

“This is awesome Sophie. Great to get them involved,” another added.

“You’re raising a new generation of men that will support their partners,” a third gushed.

“My son absolutely loves cleaning the oven/car,” someone else said.

“When he was 4 he would pick that as a special treat!

“My daughter asks for cleaning products for her own room now she’s almost 12.

“Great mindset to be had! Well done!”

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A SAVVY mum has shared a “genius” trick to guarantee there are no tears when applying sun cream.

Not only does it make the process much more fun for youngsters, but if your little one hates having sun cream applied, then you’ll need to check this out.

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With this simple tip, which has been hailed the “best sun cream hack ever,” you’ll need an unexpected kitchen essential.

Posting on social media, Gemma McCartan, a mum-of-two and full-time content creator from the UK, gave her followers a close-up look at her trick, which involves using spoons when applying spray sun cream.

Alongside her short video, the influencer beamed: “The best sun cream hack for kids EVER.”

She then said: “To the mum who posted this, I love you.”

Instead of wrestling her son Max to close his eyes so she could apply the spray sun cream to his face, the youngster instead put two spoons over his eyes.

Gemma was then able to spray his face with sun cream, without it getting in his eyes and causing any tears.

Moments after, the woman’s daughter then did the same, yet again ensuring a seamless application with no irritation of the eyes, whilst at the same time, making the often agonising process much more exciting. 

Thrilled with her hack, Gemma later wrote: “It’s been a game changer.” 

Clearly beaming with the simple trick, the mother added: “It’s made my day, I had the kids crying on holiday until we found this hack.” 

Gemma’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @gemmamccartan, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 200,800 views.

Not only this, but it’s also amassed 2,074 likes and 138 comments. 

Parents were impressed with the “genius” trick and many thought it was a “great” idea. 

One person said: “What a brilliant idea.” 

Another added: “That is genius.” 

My son has allergies so this is amazing

Gemma McCartan

Whilst a third commented: “Not only practical, it gives the kids a feeling of control over what’s about to happen, so they are more willing to cooperate. Great idea.”

Meanwhile, someone else gushed: “Best idea ever for sun cream.” 

However, at the same time, one user wrote: “Should have cream on eyelids too as they can burn, I know it stings if it gets in eyes but it’s such a sensitive area so best to have full coverage.”

To this, Gemma wrote back and explained: “Yes but my son has allergies so this is amazing.” 

Not only this, but another person asked: “Won’t they get a burnt line where the handles are?”

In response, Gemma confirmed that instead of spraying the sun cream on her youngster’s eyelids, after the fun part, she then uses her finger for a more controlled application, as she acknowledged: “I use my finger to do the sides and lids.” 

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A FIRST-TIME mum dreading flying with her baby daughter has shared how she got through it without any tears

Lala, from Germany, took to social media to share her genius parenting hack just in time for any summer holidays you have planned.

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And the best part is that the travel hack costs just 45p.

In the clip, Lala and her partner could be seen boarding the plane with their baby asleep in her mum’s arms.

She said: “This was her very first flight and we timed it perfectly with her nap. She slept right through takeoff but eventually she woke up.”

So how did the parents keep her entertained for the three hour flight? Lettuce.

Lala said they often give their tot lettuce when they’re trying to eat in peace, so decided to try it on the plane.

“It always keeps her occupied for so long. And I thought, if it works at home, why would it not work on a plane?” she explained.

Like most kids, her daughter was obsessed with tearing things up and trying to put them in her mouth.

“Like bread, paper, tissue, anything. But bread is way too messy, like there are crumbs everywhere,” she explained. And with paper or tissue, we always have to keep an eye on her that she doesn’t eat it. But lettuce?

“Lettuce is genius. It has a really fun texture and it’s not messy at all. And it’s safe if she decides to munch on it. Not just safe, but it’s actually a really refreshing and healthy snack for her.”

“This kept her occupied almost the entire flight.”

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While Lala’s easy travel hack was worth giving a go, it’s worth noting that some airlines may not let you bring it on, depending on what country you are flying to.

Others may not let you bring it into the country when you land so you’ll have to chuck it away.

But that won’t matter too much as the hack costs just 45p as two heads of lettuce cost 90p from Waitrose.

The clip quickly went viral on her TikTok account @lalaleluu with over 1.7 million views and 267k likes.

Plenty of parents took to the comments thanking her for the advice.

One person wrote: “Wow this is genius. About to take my baby on her first flight alone and I might try this.”

Another commented: “I have a 14 hour flight with my baby next month. I’ll just bring a whole field.”

“You, Lala, have just unlocked a whole new toy for all of us mums out there thank you,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “This is some next level parenting!! Bravo!!”

“Genius idea,” claimed a fifth

Someone else added: “This is such a good idea!!”

WE all want to give our kids a magical birthday, no matter the budget.

And one mum has shared how she created a personalised Minecraft cake for her son’s birthday without paying a professional.

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Taking to TikTok, Cara, a mum-of-five, made her own delicious cake for her son’s birthday using M&S and Amazon buys.

In the clip, she said: “Come DIY my son’s Minecraft birthday cake using two cakes from M&S.

“I feel absolutely awful but I left it way too last minute to order Noah a birthday cake, then I couldn’t get one booked in anywhere so thought I’d go to M&S and do it myself.”

She said her son was a big chocolate lover so grabbed the M&S chocolate Mini Bite Cake for £20 and the Cookies and Cream cake.

She used the cookie flavour cake as the bottom tier and removed the chocolate decorations and moved them to the chocolate cake that would suit on top.

To make sure the two cakes were secure, she stuck a few cocktail sticks into the bottom one before placing the other on top.

Next, the savvy mum had some Amazon bits to complete the cake and turn it into a Minecraft bonanza that Noah would love.

She was able to find a Minecraft logo and happy birthday sign made out of edible rice paper, so cut them out and placed them on top of the cake.

Cara also found some Minecraft figurines made of icing and stuck those on top as well.

“These are amazing,” she said, “And I just popped them all over the cake.

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“Noah is Minecraft obsessed and Steve is his absolute favourite character, so I know he’s gonna absolutely love this.

The final cake was perfect for her son and the rest of her family to enjoy while celebrating his birthday.

Cara added: “I mean it’s not the best cake in the world but I know he’s gonna absolutely love it and it was literally on a budget.”

The clip of her DIY cake was shared on her TikTok account @cara_mamato5 and soon went viral with over 170k views and 2,800 likes.

The cost of a professional birthday cake can vary massively depending on how big you want it and what decor you want.

A basic sponge or character cake from the supermarket can cost between £10 to £20.

A small personalised custom cake from a bakery or cake maker can set you back up to £60.

While medium cakes, with multiple tiers like what Cara made can be an eye-watering £100.