OH MY GOODNESS!!

You know, sometimes I come across things that just stop me in my tracks; things that I can't believe I'm seeing and, as a result, am utterly mesmerised by them - the Peekaru is one of these things.

I wish I could tell you how I stumbled across the Peekaru, but I can't - it was just one of those times where I was looking for something COMPLETELY unrelated, saw a picture of it, tracked it down and am now telling you about it.

The idea is great - and if you're into contact parenting/baby wearing then you're going to LOVE IT - it's totally effective but WOW can it look weird, alien and may get you stared at in the street if you wear it forward facing!

So basically, the Peekaru is a fleece vest/tank top/bodywarmer (if you prefer) that has a hole for your head and arms PLUS a hole for your babies head, because you're going to be zipping it over you and your baby who's in a carrier!

SEE, brill' idea - especially when you need your hands and really don't want to be constantly wrestling with blankets in the wind, wearing your coat half around you because you've pulled it round to cover your child in their sling.

Now it doesn't look so freaky when it's worn with your child slung around your back, but at the front - I just can't get films like Alien out of my head!

There are various different versions - the Original (which costs $79.95), the Hoodie ($69.95) and a soft shell version that's weather proof (on sale currently for $149.95 instead of a WHOPPING $249.95) and you can buy them from their original website and have them shipped over from Colorado (they have a big range) but it's going to cost you an additional $35 - $55.

I did come across this place in the UK who sells them too (and offer free shipping on UK orders) and their price for the Original Peekaru is £55, £130 for the soft shell version and if you wanted the hoody, I'm sorry - it doesn't look like they stock that one.

If you have one of these, or buy one, please let us know how you get on with it and send PICTURES - we'd love to see!

Tesco has reduced its Farleys Rusks 4 Month Original packs of 18 from £1.66 to £1. These were a huge favourite in my house. Not with my son though. He never liked them. My husband on the other hand couldn't get enough of them!

• Click here for your Farley Rusks at Tesco

The offer is valid online, and should also be found instore. According to the website, Farley's Rusks contain seven vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and calcium. It suggests crumbling biscuits to use as a weaning food, and serving them up with yoghurt and fruit puree. Actually that sounds really yummy for grownups too.

I developed a secret addiction to pureed fruit when son was a baby. For physical reasons (a tongue tie that wasn't severe enough for surgery but still restrictive) he found purees easier to eat. That's not for everyone. I know that my PlayPennies teammate Luschka goes with Baby Led Weaning for example.

My son started cutting his first tooth at around 15 months. I did try him with rusks at first, but it is funny what they like and don't like. He was quite happy with them until I gave him some Organix Animal Biscuits. Have you ever tried these? They're sweetened with grape juice instead of sugar and you can get them in pound shops for £1 a box too. They were an instant hit with my son and they're still his favourite at the age of six! He calls them Scooby snacks.

Thanks to jumpidoo at HUKD!

Carrying your baby in a sling, or baby-wearing as it's also known, has become hugely popular in recent years, to the extent that an entire market has emerged offering a vast range of slings and baby carriers. But trying to choose the right one for your needs can be something of a minefield.

The benefits of baby-wearing are well-documented. Studies have indicated that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. Research also indicates that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase, which is instrumental in language development and knowledge acquisition.

Babywearing also helps babies sleep better and  their physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent. Some research has shown that carrying your baby in a sling helps her to adjust to the world outside the womb faster, because your comforting presence mimics the experience she had in utero of constantly hearing your heart beat and voice. There are lots of other benefits too, including the sheer practicality of being able to carry your baby while still having two hands free, and the ease with which some slings make it possible to breastfeed while on the move.

However, recent press reports have indicated that there may be some dangers associated with carrying your baby in certain types of slings. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has raised concerns about 'bag-style' baby carriers. It is thought that 14 deaths have occurred in the US over the last 20 years, all linked to the 'bag-style' sling, and as a result the Infantino 'SlingRider' and 'Wendy Bellissimo' slings have been urgently recalled in the UK, Europe and North America.

Consequently, UK sling retailers and manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that parents have the information they need to continue to position their babies in the safest way possible and use safe designs of baby carriers

In “bag-style” slings, it is thought that the baby can lie in a curved position which might increase the risk of sufffocation.  Excess fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing. The design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward the carer’s body, with potentials risks that a baby could be smothered. 'Bag-style' slings also obstructs the baby from the parent’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.

But the vast majority of baby carriers and slings are still safe to use, if parents ensure they hold baby in proper alignment and fit snugly by design and instruction. These safe designs of sling include shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, soft carriers and wrap slings.

Advice for Parents

If you carry your baby in a bag-style sling, Rebecca Ward of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers advises you to contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet www.slingmeet.co.uk for advice on alternative slings.

Rebecca says, “While we are unaware of any fatalities in the UK in these bag style slings at the present time, we would caution against using them in light of the recommendations by the US Safety Commission.”

If you have another sort of baby carrier, Rebecca advises; “No safety problems have been brought to our attention with any other baby carriers. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.”

When using a baby sling, the advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:

Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S checklist for ensuring your baby's safety:

• Tight
• In view at all times
• Close enough to kiss your baby's head
• Keep baby's chin off its chest
• Supported back

More information on Baby Sling Safety is available at www.babyslingsafe.com

To find out more about baby wearing and get advice on safe ways to carry your baby there are several trusted websites that can help, many of which have details for where to buy slings, too:

· Slingmeet
· TheBabywearer.com
· Facebook page for Babywearing Safety
· Mothering.com
· LaLecheLeague

The following sling manufacturers are members of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers, and will be able to provide further information about the safety of their products.

Baba-licious, Baby Armadillo, Baby Bean, Babyhut, Big Mama Slings, BORN, Brightsparkslings, Calin Bleu, Close Parent, CN Sales, Daisy Chain Slings, HippyChick, Huggababy, Kari-Me, Lifft Slings, Little Possums, Mama Natura, Napsack, Natural Connection, Naturally Happy Slings, Natural Nursery, Ocah Carriers, SaSaSlings, Sling Jax, Slumber-Roo, Snugbaby, The Carrying Kind, Wilkinet.