Your Signing Stories.....
Signing Mum Anna says that using baby
sign has really helped to soothe
her daughter....
Jasmine signing toilet - 16 months
Click on JJ to email us your lovely stories and pics to be included in our next newsletter and the chance to win a scrummy Plum hamper! ( See Plum article below).
Download ‘Signing Hands’
Max likes nothing more than to sign along with the tune which opens all our classes each week. You can now download the much loved theme tune ‘Signing Hands’ complete with lyrics and 6 signs to use with the song. Get signing with your little ones today!
I’d love to hear your signing stories, ideas and comments.....
Email JJ
Hi Susie, tell us a bit about Plum and how it got started?
“I decided to challenge the existing baby food market because quite simply, it bothered me greatly that the big industry leaders thought it was ok to offer synthetically sweet, nutritionally poor food to our babies. In fact they still do it and guess what, I still get really bothered. Anyway, at least we are there to get it right, and I really do go to the ends of the earth to get it right. There is more to getting a baby food right than meets the eye. There are the obvious hygiene factors, but ingredient sourcing, scrutiny on their quality and then the less fiddling about the better. Combining good, tasty ingredients is where the chef in me gets released, and with our nutritional ‘professors’ we tick all the boxes when it comes to taste, the best quality and good value for money as nothing goes to waste. Every last mouthful is enjoyed.
Did you use the recipes with your own children?
Of course. My eldest is now 16 and 6’ tall! Must have done him
some good and my daughter is at ballet school. My youngest
daughter is 6 and is (touch wood) as fit as a fiddle, they always
have been. Don’t think any of them have been to the doctors
except for usual vaccinations etc. I would like to think it is because Eat
they had a great diet from before they were born.
What age do you recommend babies are introduced to solids and which foods would you recommend for weaning?
I really think that this is up to the parents. My babies were all ready to be weaned by 4 months, and at that time, this was the recommended time given by the health visitors, but now it is 6 months. I know from speaking to hundreds of mums up and down the country, that it is a stretch to make the 6 month weaning stage, as normally they seem to be hungry for more than milk before then. My mantra is to listen to your own advice – Mum knows best. Naturally, before 4 months is way to early in my opinion, ie 3 months, no. Milk only for first 4 months then gradually introduce our 4 grain weaning porridge, so much better than a weaning rice, easy to digest, gluten free but not a white wallpaper paste! I fought long and hard to get this product right, as I never agreed with the first weaning product to be an over-refined white rice. So, our 4 grain weaning rice was launched and I have weaned 2 million babies on it! Nutritionally rich and such a simple base to mix either fruit or vegetables bit by bit, or our specially prepared 4 month range of first baby foods.
Do you have a little recipe you could share with our
readers?
Yes. Mix a ripe avocado with a banana, and mix some
of our 4 grain with it with a drop of babies usual milk
to get the right consistency.
Easy, fresh, highly nutritious and really delicious.
Why is Plum such a great product for babies?
We are ingredient led. Every ingredient is there because of its nutrient rich content, taste and digestibility. We are so much more than baby food. We offer babies a taste of things to come. Also, we add the supergrain Quinoa to all our stage 1 recipes, and across most of the range, as it is the most wonderful protein for babies and helps ease the digestion. Something that is unique to us and is well regarded with nutritionists across the globe as a great weaning food for babies.
Great! Where can we buy it?
Waitrose, Sainsburys, Ocado, Boots, etc.
Take a look at our website at
www.plum-baby.co.uk to get a full list.
You can also buy it on our new online site.
Finally Susie, what delicious recipes are you cooking up in the Plum pot at the moment?
We have just launched a range of ‘ultimate’ fromage frais with baby botanicals. Raspberry and Rosehip, Strawberry and Chamomile, Peach and sweet Fennel. They are a huge hit. They have NO ADDED SUGAR, and have been developed just for babies. Unlike other brands, they seem to think that a fromage frais or equivalent is ok for a 4 month old to a 5 year old. I don’t think so! Also, we have just launched a range of our stage one babyfoods in squeezy pouches. The same Plum goodness, but in a different packaging format. We know some parents like this and we do like to do what our loyal parents ask of us!
Don’t miss out! Click on JJ and sign up to the Babysigners newsletter......
How long have you been with Babysigners?
I have just started my 5th glorious year. Wow, it has gone so quickly. I am loving that families are returning with 2nd babies and that mums are coming to me as a result of my reputation (must be behaving myself then!!),
What is the best thing about signing?
Actually, I am not a confident signer, that’s my hubs, he was teachers pet on the BSL course. The best thing is that I can. Wanted to learn sign language for years and I love it when I hear that more schools are teaching it and using it.
What is your favourite colour?
Yellow, the brighter the better.
What do you like best about Spring?
The fact that summer is on it’s way. Yippee, spring is here.
What is your favourite nursery rhyme?
Incey Wincey Spider with Twinkle Twinkle a close 2nd.
What is your favourite sign?
Pig because it always makes the adults laugh the first time they see it.
Chocolate Eggs or boiled eggs?
Boiled (okay it’s really chocolate but I am on a more health conscious diet).
What is your funniest Babysigners moment?
The first session of every new course. I just love the looks on the babies and their mum’s faces when I play the first song. They all look so incredulous! Whatever noises were going on just stop. I have a job keeping a straight face!
Dear Emma.....
Dear Emma
I’ve heard so much about baby signing and
am really keen to give it a go with my baby.
What would you say is a good age to start?
Love
Amy (Mum to Lucy aged 4 months)
Hi Amy & Lucy
How exciting that you are about to embark on your
baby signing adventure. I’d get cracking straight away,
after all you don’t wait until a baby can talk before you
talk to them. It works that way for signing too. Even before your baby starts making the signs themselves you are helping to reinforce the meaning of what you are saying so it’s great for helping them to understand vocabulary. Then of course when they start signing a whole new world will open up to you both – the world of really effective communication – enjoy!
Happy signing
Emma x
P.S I would love to help you on your baby signing journey so feel free to email me your questions.
Babysigners founder Emma answers your questions
Sign of the Month....
Chicken
Max was surprised when his Easter egg hatched a dear little chick. Can you sign chicken? Happy Easter everyone!
Competition!
Win a luxury hamper !
Click on JJ and send us your baby signing stories or a video of your little one signing and the best one will win a luxury Plum goodie hamper!
There are also 4 runners up hampers too.
Please send in your baby’s age with their story so the winner will get age appropriate Plum goodies.
Good Luck!
Competition Details
HQ address: Babysigners 27 High Park Av, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 8PE
Closing Date: Friday 22nd May. No purchase is necessary. Prizes are as stated and there are no cash alternatives.
All entries must include the following information: Full name, address, and telephone number of parent. Name and age of baby(s).
All entries will be sent to Babysigners HQ where they will be reviewed and the winner and runners up selected by Emma Finlay-Smith. Names of winner and runners up plus stories will be published in the May edition of the Babysigners newsletter. Information relating to address and telephone number will not be published.
Babysigners would like to request the use of stories and relevant photos for use on their website, in newsletters and for possible future promotional material. Please state on your entry if you do not wish Babysigners to do this.
Become a Teacher
A Babysigners teacher...wants to make a real difference
A Babysigners teacher...has time for family
A Babysigners teacher...could be you!
My Personal Babysigners Story
Joining Babysigners has opened me up to a new world
- a world of work where my little ones still come
first. Where I have been able to balance my work
and home life, gain confidence in my own abilities and
learn new skills. Hard work, determination and a
good sense of humour has meant that I now have the
privilege of working with parents, Children’s Centres,
childcare professionals, and of course lots of babies
and toddlers! Seeing a child sign to you for the first
time has got to be one of the most powerful and rewarding experiences I have had. Not to mention the fun I have singing, reading and playing with the babies and their families. I have gained new work colleagues, met new groups of people and made friends along the way. Baby signing has become an essential part of our family life and becoming a Babysigners teacher was one of the best decisions I have made.
Babysigners’ Franchise...Rewarding, Fulfilling, Exhilarating, Fascinating, Inspiring - Guaranteed!
Interested?
Come and meet us at.....
The Scottish Baby Show
on stand 426J
Lisa Townsend Babysigners Teacher for East Cornwall and West Devon
Come and meet us at.....
The Bump2Baby Show in Exeter on stand 79. We will be giving talks on the main stage plus seminars!
