Sainsbury's Little Ones Pull-ons

Before I start this review, I'd like to just say that I'm actually rather fond of Sainsbury's. I think they can do some wonderful deals and I especially like their children's clothes, I eagerly await their 25% off weeks that they run (usually around bank holidays for anyone that's interested).

That said, I shall continue.

Sainsbury's 22 Little Ones Pull-ons Size 5 £3.87

We normally buy our nappies in bulk on Amazon or with our groceries from Tesco. However, we recently went away and I sort of let the ball drop on the nappy stock. Caught short and with only three nappies left in my arsenal, I had to pick some up when I went into town. For our holiday I bought a small pack of Boots nappies and was really pleased with them as I'd never used them before, however I was only really going to Sainsbury's on this particular visit and couldn't really be bothered to trek the toddler to Boots. So whilst I was using my baking things, I grabbed a pack of their own. This was the smallest pack of size 5 and I was initially really impressed with the price point when I noticed they were pull-up pant style nappies as opposed to the usual side fastening. I didn't want to buy a large pack of nappies even though the price per nappie would be cheaper, because I knew our usual order would be arriving in a couple of days.

I put Moo in one that evening for bed and my first thought was that they are hideous. The design is very plain and unexciting to myself, let alone a toddler (it's got a weird illustration of a belt on it of all things). My next opinion was formed when I pulled the nappy up and it ripped. Yes, a pull-up nappy that rips when you pull it up. Incredibly helpful. I tweeted Sainsbury's about this but got no response.

In the morning I discovered that the nappy had ridden up on one side (that could just be my fidget bug though) and within moments of her getting up. It had leaked. Everywhere.

I still didn't have any other nappies so I thought I'd just grin and bear it, I'd spent money on them after all so I had to get some use out of them, so Moo continued to wear them (though I borrowed some Lidl-brand ones from my husband's grandmother for night times). As the weather's been so incredibly sweltering hot nice, Moo has been prancing about often in her nappy. This led me to realise that they bunch and ride up a lot. I seem to constantly be plucking one side out (sorry for that image) when I dare to put her in them.

I'll quickly bullet point the good and the bad for you below...

Good.

-Price; very competitive to it's rivals.

Bad.

-Ugly design.

-Leak.

-Ill-fitting.

-Tear easily.

So there you have it, sadly, I shan't be buying Sainsbury's pull-ons again for either child. I have previously used their smaller sized nappies when Moo was a baby and thought them really good (though I find their groceries to be more expensive so generally only go there for clothes or if I'm in town). I think that given the choice of own-brand nappies that you can buy nowadays and how all are quite competitively priced, you'd be better off with another store's brand. Of the supermarkets, I prefer Tesco (slightly better to look at, hold a lot of wee) and Lidl's nappies are fabulous in value and quality, NanNan has a supply as the two great-granddaughters that live in her garden visit often with her are the same size (Moo and our niecelet).

On the nappy front, was sad to see Huggies pull out of the UK market. I'd known about it for quite awhile but only recently noticed that they had finally done it (excluding their swimmers, pull-ups and wipes). Their newborn nappies were the first I ever used and I thought them wonderful and I still use their pure wipes when they're on offer (though sadly was not a fan of their bigger nappies....funny smell). I think it's another sign of supermarket dominance within our nation and the rising number of people who are realising (for whatever reason) that quality doesn't mean you have to pay a higher price and buy branded.

Let me know if you've had any unfortunate nappy experiences like a pull-up ripping when you pull it up...

Clare

My Changing Bag

When I was pregnant with Moo (our daughter), I packed and re-packed my hospital and change bags (yes, I had two) about seventeen times. I was obsessed with having everything. I had to have all that I needed, plus spares, plus luxuries...plus extra room, yknow...just in case...

I was daft and unguided. I relied, as many pregnant woman do, on online 'checklists' written by companies and brands that make money off of selling you what you need (and what you don't).

My change bag was an over-loaded, military-organised brick of an accessory. It didn't take me long to realise that I was hauling a hell of a lot of stuff around with me that actually wasn't necessary. I was only popping to town...not the Himalayas.

So here is what my typical change bag when with baby looks like (Moo is no longer a baby and obviously it's different for toddlers, however I'm currently expecting Bear, or baby number two, and so it's on my crazy, obsessive mind...again).

The bag.
As you will see from the image below, my change bag is of the 'Yummy Mummy' variety from the fabulous company Pink Lining. They change their designs every season which is both good (never too many of the same bag) and bad (because every new season I want a new one). Depending on the bag you want, they range in price from £35 to £95. Mine was given as a gift from my parents, there are lots and lots on eBay at a fraction of the cost. When Moo was born I also had a Skip Hop in black which I bought so that my husband wouldn't feel silly. Turns out he actually didn't care and has happily hauled around the Yummy Mummy bag for nearly three years now so I sold that on the Netmums Nearly New board fairly early on. This is another great place to get bargains!!
You don't have to have a change bag that was made exclusively for that purpose, any reasonably sized and sturdy bag will do. Change bags are often very pretty but can be pricey. Saying this, you can join the Boots baby club and get one for free when you buy a pack of newborn nappies. One advantage in favour of change bags is that they often have insulated compartments for milk (not of significance if you are breast feeding), come with it's own change mat (you can buy these individually quite cheaply on eBay and Amazon) and have LOTS of pockets. You will love pockets as a parent. You can never have too many. Trust me.
My bag came with a mat as well as a dry bag which I use for wet/sticky/soiled clothing. Nappy sacks are also just as good for holding back the stink/wetness.



Contents.
1. Dry bag and change mat - mine were included with my bag.
2. Bottle.
3. Toy/book.
4. Nappies and wipes.
5. A change of everything and a cardigan in case the weather changes.
6. My 'little bag of tricks' contains things like hair elastics, hand sanitizer, lip balm. Whatever bag I'm carrying, this goes in it.
7. Keys and purse and other usual life things.

Not included in the photo is the sun cream which I carry all year around in a side pocket. That way, I always know where it is.

So there it is, my little bag of super-mummy-ness. It's always good to be prepared but travelling light has definitely been the best for me!

Clare