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Most popular baby sleeping bags | 2016 Top Picks

See the finalists for the most popular sleeping bag in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards
white baby cots

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been exhaustively tried, tested and voted the best by real mums, and given the tick of approval by a panel of experts.

Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested sleeping bag category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

See the 2017 winners here.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SLEEPING BAG. The ergoPouch Sleep Suit RRP $84.95 converts from a sleeping bag to a sleep suit with legs using zippers making the transition from cot to pram an easy one.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SLEEPING BAG. The Merino Kids Go Go Bag RRP $179 is designed using only natural Merino wool and 100% certified organic cotton for safety, comfort and temperature regulation.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SLEEPING BAG. The Gro Grobag RRP $74.95 is easy to use and comes with front and side zipper options for easy night time changes, along with a travel zip option.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SLEEPING BAG. Plum Sleep Bags RRP $34.95 are are soft, safe and cosy. Designed to great and last too, they’re available in organic cotton and bamboo.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SLEEPING BAG. The Love To Dream Nuzzlin 1.0TOG Sleep Bag RRP $49.95 has an additional 100% cotton lining for an extra level of warmth.

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Most popular sippy cup | 2016 Top Picks

See the finalists for the most popular sippy cup in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been exhaustively tried, tested and voted the best by real mums, and given the tick of approval by a panel of experts.

Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested most popular sippy cup category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

See the 2017 winners here.

Nuby No-Spill Twin Handle Silicone Spout cup, $8.99 Unique soft silicone spouts and straws are easy to use, hold and clean.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SIPPY CUP. The b.box for kids Sippy Cup RRP $14.95 has a weighted straw, simple flip-top lid and easy grip handles. It lets kids drink from any angle, even lying down.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SIPPY CUP. Thermos Foogo Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Sippy Cup RRP $29.99 keeps beverages cool and fresh for up to six hours. It’s BPA-free, durable and comfortable on gums.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SIPPY CUP. The WOW Cup for Baby RRP $13.49 features a unique, lip-activated drinking edge that seals itself until your baby takes another drink.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR SIPPY CUP. The Philips AVENT Sip No Drip Cup RRP $12.95 has angled soft or bite resistant spouts and soft-touch handles to ensure easy drinking for your toddler.

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My silent endometriosis hell

It's the silent epidemic devastating the lives of Australian women. Mel Greig reveals what all endometriosis sufferers need you to know.

I just got home from seeing my Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and I still have his words ringing through my ears: “The endometriosis is everywhere, it even took over your appendix … you’re in trouble.”

Whenever we hear bad news we instantly think ‘Who can I blame?’ and at the moment I can only feel anger for the people who didn’t believe that my condition was real … “What’s ‘Endo-flippin-osis?’” a former colleague joked.

Now I want to say, “Don’t mock it knob, it’s called ‘endometriosis’ and it’s robbing 1 in 10 women of their freedom and their ability to be a mother.”

For people who aren’t aware of endometriosis, it’s endometrial tissue that resides outside the womb.

I’d like to put it in simpler terms though: it’s basically big round balls and small dots that cause a shitload of pain for women, often crippling them. It also causes infertility in some women as well as a horde of other problems.

I am one of those women. I have now been told that I have a 1-5 per cent chance of falling pregnant naturally. To say I’m devastated would be an understatement.

I don’t feel that I’m a real woman. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I do. But that’s okay. It doesn’t change the way I will love my children if I manage to have them, or how I will be as a mother.

Mel Greig

I’ve recently separated from my husband, so my battle for children just went to a whole new level.

IVF success rates go down quite substantially for women over 35. That gives me a year to work some serious magic.

I have had endometriosis from the age of 17 – it sadly runs in my family. The contraceptive pill has helped me keep the pain under control for the past decade but it hasn’t controlled the endo. Mine has been getting steadily worse during that time period, eventually taking over my bowel and uterus.

In March 2013, I nearly lost part of my bowel and one of my ovaries after they became fused thanks to endometriosis. I had major surgery to detach them and luckily, the doctor managed to save both organs.

The surgery also cleared the endometriosis build-ups, with the doctor giving me six months before it would all grow back.

One year later, I was preparing for more major surgery. The original endo grew back, and brought an army of friends with it.

To make matters worse, I went off the pill to start trying for a baby and so I now get to feel every ounce of pain that endo brings its sufferers every month.

I go into self-lockdown for 24 hours at the start of each cycle. I can’t move. Every step I take I’m in severe pain. Ironically, it feels like I imagine childbirth to be like, which is something endo might mean I never experience. It is horrific.

But often a bigger battle can be finding a partner that understands – someone who is prepared to go to war every month, his helmet on and sword drawn ready for battle.

He must find immediate sources of chocolate, he must be willing to fill and refill my hot water bottle and he must be on his best god damn behaviour to avoid igniting an all-out battle.

To partners, employers and non-sufferers: Endometriosis is a real disease. When a woman with endo complains of period pain, shit is real. If she calls in sick, you better bloody believe she is sick enough not to come in – she can’t walk.

Partners, it hurts like hell to have sexy-time with endometriosis. You need to be gentle and you need to make love to us on our backs. It’s a medical fact and I’m pretty sure we can get a medical certificate advising the best love making is done the way WE want it.

Endometriosis is a horrible disease. There are different levels of pain and damage but all endo sufferers feel the same in the sense that we just want some understanding. It’s real and we need your support. Sound it out with me E-N-D-O-M-E-T-R-I-O-S-I-S. Learn it and remember it.

Visit Endometriosis Australia for more information.

Mel Grieg is a former radio host and reality TV personality.

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2016 top picks: Most popular reusable nappy

See the finalists for the most popular reusable nappy in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been given the tick of approval from the experts and other mums. Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested reusable nappy category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR REUSABLE NAPPY. Rashoodz Reusable Swim Nappy RRP $29.99 has a polyurethane lining which keeps things trapped inside and helps avoid embarrassing moments.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR REUSABLE NAPPY. Plum Swim Nappy RRP $24.95 has an elastic waist and leg for comfort and ease. They are chlorine-resistant and offer 50+ UV protection.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR REUSABLE NAPPY. Hippybottomus Stay-Dry Natural Nappies RRP $14.95 come with a washable microfibre and bamboo fleece insert. You can add inserts to increase absorbency overnight.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR REUSABLE NAPPY. Bambino Mio RRP $34.95 is a simple, stylish and soft all-in-one cloth nappy with super absorbent core and a stay-dry inner layer.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR REUSABLE NAPPY. Pea Pods Australia RRP $19.95 features a bamboo absorber and an adjustable elastic leg so one size lasts from birth to toilet training.

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Why Diana clashed with William and Harry’s nanny

Diana was apparently a lot more relaxed when it came to what the boys ate!

A former royal chef who cooked for Princess Diana and her two sons William and Harry when they were young has opened up about Di’s relaxed parenting style and the occasional clash she had with the young princes’ nanny.

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Darren McGrady cooked for them for four years and also spent 11 years working for the Queen.

The chef revealed that was very easy going when it came do what her boys ate.

“She let them be boys, young boys!,” he told Hello! Online. “There was always a battle between her and Nanny. Nanny would say, ‘No, they’re eating their dinner, they’re having cabbage.”

“And the Princess would say, ‘No, if they’re with me and they want loaded potato skins and fried chicken then they can have that. And if they don’t eat it and they still want pudding, they can have that too!’ She was much more relaxed than Nanny.”

“They could have chocolate, there weren’t special treats because if the boys were home, the Princess wanted to spoil them.”

“They liked comfort food dishes. They loved banana flan, anything with banana really, banana ice cream. They loved things like mixed grills, burgers, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and cream chicken sauce… They were royal children but they still had children’s palates.”

ut while the little princes ate whatever they pleased, Princess Diana was much stricter with her own diet. She ate mostly chicken, fish or stuffed vegetables and when she was home alone, she’d sometimes eat off a tray in front of the TV!

Darren recalled that Diana opted to have people over for lunch rather than dinner because they went too late into the night.

He added: “And also she said, ‘I can’t invite men back for dinner because the media would find out and then I’m in real trouble. So whenever I do an event or a charity do or have a friend round, I have to have them for lunch.’”

He said that he and the princess got along well and that she loved her sons more than anything.

Darren said: “She absolutely adored the two of them. She would be so thrilled right now with both of them, especially with Harry, with his charity work. He’s his mother’s son; you can see that in the way he acts naturally with young kids. He’s just incredible… We just need to find him a bride now!”

VIDEO: Princess Di with her sons on Will’s first day at Eton

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Best nappy rash creams Australia | 2016 Top Picks

See the finalists for the most popular nappy rash products in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been exhaustively tried, tested and voted the best by real mums, and given the tick of approval by a panel of experts.

Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested nappy rash products category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

See the 2017 winners here.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPY RASH PRODUCT. Sudocream Healing Cream RRP $10.99 is a triple action cream that helps soothe, heal and protect your baby’s delicate skin.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPY RASH PRODUCT. Mater Nappy Balm RRP $7.95 allows your baby’s skin to breathe whilst providing a barrier. Proceeds from this product support Mater Little Miracles.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPY RASH PRODUCT. Curash Nappy Rash Cream RRP $6.59 is formulated with zinc oxide to soothe, heal and prevent nappy rash.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPY RASH PRODUCT. QV Baby Barrier Cream RRP $7.95 is a non-sticky, soothing, rich protective barrier cream that helps protect against nappy rash and moisture loss.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPY RASH PRODUCT.Little Bairn Bottom Balm RRP $24.95 blends natural beeswax, shea butter and certified organic evening primrose and calendula oils to treat and prevent the symptoms of nappy rash.

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Most popular nappies | 2016 Top Picks

See the finalists for the most popular baby nappies in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been exhaustively tried, tested and voted the best by real mums, and given the tick of approval by a panel of experts.

Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested baby nappy category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

See the 2017 winners here.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPIES. HUGGIES Newborn Nappies RRP $16 feature a 3D UltraAbsorb layer and wetness indicator. They’re also clinically proven to help prevent nappy rash.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPIES. The Mater Mothers Hospitals Nappies, RRP $11.99, are used throughout Mater Mothers Hospitals. Proceeds from the nappies support Mater Little Miracles.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPIES. The BabyLove Cosifit RRP $9.99 feature patented Double Support Gathers to prevent harsh, red marks on delicate skin

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPIES. The ALDI Mamia Supa Fit nappies, RRP $4.65, feature a contoured Triple Layer core for faster absorption and offer flexibility and a slim, comfortable fit.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR NAPPIES. The Moltex Nature No.1 Eco Nappies RRP $18.95 feature a 100% biodegradable outer lining and 40% biodegradable inner lining. They have tea leaf extract in the core to help neutralise odours.

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Most popular breast pumps Australia | 2016 Top Picks

See the finalists for the most popular breast pump in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards
milk moustache, getty stock image

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been exhaustively tried, tested and voted the best by real mums, and given the tick of approval by a panel of experts.

Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested breast pump category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

See the 2017 winners here.

milk moustache, getty stock image

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PUMP. The Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump RRP $449.95 supports milk supply, is time-saving and offers a range of vacuum levels and settings.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PUMP. The Philips AVENT Comfort Single Electric Breast Pump RRP $249.95 offers comfortable, easy expressing with adjustable speed and suction settings.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PUMP. The Difrax BtoB Breast Pump RRP $279.95 is a 100% hands-free breast pump that is silent and discreet.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PUMP. The Tommee Tippee closer to nature Breast Pump RRP $200 is an eletric pump that’s easy to assemble, use and sterilise. It’s portable and lightweight and has four expression phases.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PUMP. The NUK Luna Electric Breast Pump RRP $149.00 features a textured silicone cushion that moulds to the breast and offers a two-phase rhythm to simulates a baby’s natural suction when breastfeeding.

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Parents abandon child in mountains

The seven-year-old was misbehaving on a trip to the mountains, so they left him there. Now, he’s missing.

The parents of a missing child have admitted they abandoned him in the mountains to punish him for bad behaviour.

Yamato Tanooka, seven, was visiting the Hokkaido mountains in Japan with his mother and father when he started throwing rocks at passing cars, infuriating his parents, reported The Japan Times.

As punishment, his parents left him there, in the forest which is heavily populated with bears, but he was no longer there when they returned to collect him a short time later.

When they reported him missing, the parents said Yamato had disappeared while on a family hike but later admitted to abandoning him after he misbehaved.

More than 150 volunteers and police officers have spent the past two days searching the region for the boy.

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2016 top picks: Most popular breast pads

See the finalists for the most popular breast pad in the 2016 Mother & Baby Awards

We know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best products for your baby. Which is why the 2016 Mother & Baby awards, sponsored by Babies “R” Us, seek to make it easier, helping Aussie mums find the best buys for their bubs.

Now in their fifth year, the awards highlight the best products in the baby care industry, from nappies and wipes, to big ticket items such as cots, cars and family holidays.

The Mother & Baby award rosette signals that a product has been exhaustively tried, tested and voted the best by real mums, and given the tick of approval from a panel of experts.

Click through the gallery to check out the finalists in the home tested breast pad category.

Brought to you by Babies “R” Us

See the 2017 winners here.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PADS. The Pigeon Honeycomb Breast Pads RRP $18.95 for 50 come with an absorbent polymer and stay-dry honeycomb lining.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PADS. Medela Disposable Nursing Pads RRP $9.95 are made of a super absorbent material and have a soft lining. They are individually wrapped.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PADS. The Philips AVENT Breast Pads RRP $8.95 have a wider shape and thicker core for added absorbency. They are designed with double adhesive strips and an all-round leakage barrier.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PADS. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Disposable Breast Pads RRP $10 are twin-wrapped, ultra absorbent, contoured to fit and thin and discreet.

CATEGORY: MOST POPULAR BREAST PADS. The Babies’R’Us Disposable Nursing Pads RRP $14.95 for 140 have a contoured design. With super-absorbent polymers for maximum dryness, they are individually packaged.

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