UK study looks at language development in babies

Researchers at the University of Lincoln are creating a new guide to decoding baby talk. About 1,500 babies aged eight to 18 months are taking part in the survey, which is the first of its kind. Kerstin Meints, from the university, said: "We are creating a large database of children to get an idea of how many words they understand and say at what age." It is hoped the study will help to identify language problems from an earlier age and become a useful tool for speech therapists.

Watch BBC video here 29/1/13

Review: Baby and Toddler Groups

Thank goodness for baby and toddler groups! A lot of the time, it’s the only adult contact I have during the day! Of course, it’s nice for my little girl, Maria, to get out of the house for a change of scenery too! As she doesn’t go to nursery, I’ve been keen for her to go to a couple of groups a week to meet and play with other children. We haven’t been to as many as we’d like as most groups meet in the mornings and, until recently, Maria was having a morning nap – very inconvenient! But now she’s cut that nap out, a whole new world has opened up to us!

At the moment, we mainly go to the groups in Stretham, where we live. But I’m hoping to venture a bit further and try some others. The only problem is – there are so many to choose from!

As you can see on our ‘Local Baby and Toddler Activities and Groups’ page, there are lots of groups on everyday in and around the Ely area.

So, what are they like?

I’ve written a short review of the groups in Stretham below. And it would be great if you could help us add to this. Which groups have you been to? Have you enjoyed them and would you recommend them to others? Let us know by emailing hannahlazarus at hotmail dot co dot uk and we’ll add your review here!

Little Bears

Day: Every Monday during term-time

Time: 9.30-11am

Location: St James’ Church, Stretham

Age: 0-4 years old, accompanied by parent/carer

Charge: Suggested donation of £2

We’ve only just started going to this group as Maria has recently cut out her morning nap. She has a great time here! There are lots of toys set up for the children and some craft activities for the older ones. Refreshments are supplied for adults and children – hot and cold drinks and snacks. Baby changing facilities are available. At the end, the vicar leads a story and singalong session. A great way to beat the Monday morning blues!

Monday Fun Days

Day: First and third Mondays of each month

Time: 1.30-2.45pm

Location: Stretham Parish Rooms

Age: 0-4 years old, accompanied by parent/carer

Charge: Free

This group is run by Sutton Children’s Centre. This was the perfect group when my daughter was around 6-14 months old. At this time, she was having a morning and mid-afternoon nap, so this slotted in quite nicely. Most other groups were in the morning. But now she’s having one nap after lunch, so we’re unlikely to make it over the next few months, which is a shame because we really enjoyed it!

This group has lots of different ‘stations’ set up for children with a playmat and toys for babies, and toys, books and activities for toddlers – it’s very informal and up to you and your children what you do! There are always some craft activities for the older ones. During the last 15 minutes, everyone gets together for a sing-song! The only downside to this group is the lack of baby changing facilities in the parish rooms. The Children’s Centre staff are very interactive and make the effort to talk to everybody – a great chance to discuss any issues you have, learn more about what the Children’s Centre are doing, or just have a chat with an adult!

Tiddlywinks Tots

Day: Every Wednesday during term-time

Time: 1.15-3.00pm

Location: Tiddlywinks Pre-School (within Stretham Primary School)

Age: 0-4 years old, accompanied by parent/carer

Charge: £1-£2

This is a lovely informal environment for children to play. As a pre-school, it’s perfectly set up for small children. There are plenty of toys, books and equipment and there is always some messy play and/or craft activity each week. Refreshments are provided for adults and children. In the last 30 minutes, the table is set out for snack time and each child gets a snack and a drink. If you live in Stretham, I think this is a great group for small children as it means pre-school and primary school will be a familiar place.

Rise in birth rates - but Mothercare loses market share

The UK is experiencing its biggest baby boom since 1971. The Office for National Statistics said last week that 723,913 babies were born in 2011, with hotspots in the south-east of England seeing birth rates up by more than 50%.  But Mothercare is losing market share to the likes of Tesco and Asda at one end, and upmarket boutiques such as Petit Bateau and JoJo Maman Bébé at the other.

Honor Westnedge of retail analyst Verdict says: "We've seen the average age of first-time mothers increase, and older mothers tend to spend more on their children because they have more disposable income. Nothing is too good for their baby." The number of first-time mothers aged over 35 has jumped by 44% over the past 10 years, with those over 40 up 84%. Average spending in infantswear has gone up over the same period from £334 a child in 2002 to £435 in 2012. With the market now worth £1.4bn a year, it's no wonder supermarkets are increasing their ranges of bibs, vests and outfits.

But Mothercare has a plan. A year ago Mothercare poached Simon Calver from film website LoveFilm as its new chief executive, with a nod to its online ambitions. Calver will also take the axe to many of Mothercare's high street stores, focusing on out-of-town shopping centres, where a trip can be a day out. Its flagship store in Edmonton, north London, now boasts a Costa Coffee shop, private ultrasound service and baby and toddler activities.

27th January 2013 The Guardian

More Fun in the Snow!

Well it seems that there are plenty of budding photographers out there! We've had a fantastic response to our request for snowy Ely pictures and Lynsey Jones has kindly sent us some more! 

Ely Cathedral looking as atmospheric as ever!

The horses were enjoying themselves!

So were the ducks...

...and the geese!

Lynsey's son, Jacob, looking out of the window - in the warm!

It looks like we've got about two days of the white stuff left before it all melts into a soggy mess! If you capture anymore lovely snowy moments before then, please let us know!

Fun in the Snow!

Readers have been sending us more of their fantastic snowy Ely photos...

Whether you love the white stuff or loathe it, you'd have to agree that the city looks beautiful in the snow! Kelly Sterling took these amazing pictures.

 And Alice Daly shows just how atmospheric Ely Cathedral can be.

 Children (and grown-ups!) have had lots of fun playing in the snow!

Sian Hornby's son, Samuel

Nancy's daughter, Juno, making a snow angel!

Nancy Welch and Cadel

Alice Daly's daughter, Chloe

 Cherry Hill is the perfect place for sledging!

 

Megan Stephenson's children, Anna and Ted

Kelly Sterling's children, Katie and Charlie

Weeeeeeeee!

But it was just a bit too cold for some!

Only 5 months till Summer!

Hannah Lazarus' daughter, Maria

Share your snowy pictures with us by emailing hannahlazarus at hotmail dot co dot uk, and let us know what you've been doing in the snow by commenting below.

NCT branch events February 2013

Bumps, Babies and Beyond

Friday 1st 10 - 11.30am

Methodist Church Hall
Chapel Street
Ely
(Map)
FREE ENTRY including refreshments and home-made cakes.

Open Houses

Tuesday 5th 10am - 12noon

At Nancy's house in Aldreth

Friday 15th 10am - 12noon

At Mag's house in Ely

Monday 19th 10am - 12noon

At Hannah's house in Stretham


For more info about open house locations see our facebook page or join our facebook group. Alternatively call 0844 2436175 or email ely_nct@yahoo.co.uk.

Midwifery shortage leaves pregnant women unsupported

A survey in the annual state of maternity services report by the Royal College of Midwives found that four in ten women see up to nine or ten midwives during their pregnancy instead of being able to build a relationship and confidence in one, as is recommended. Also one fifth of women are left alone during labour, contrary to guidelines saying women should have one to one care.

Midwives are overstretched due to a baby boom and increasing numbers of women over the age of 40 having babies who require extra care due to a high risk of complications, experts said. The birth rate has increased rapidly and the rise in midwife numbers has not kept pace, the College said, meaning around 5,000 more are needed to meet the one-to-one care in labour pledge. Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the RCM, said: “In antenatal care, the problem for women is they are not getting the continuity of care they need."


The Telegraph 20/1/13