All posts tagged: Recommended Parenting

The best pregnancy pillows, tried and tested

The best pregnancy pillows, tried and tested

Published by Sam Flores

Sleeping can be an uncomfortable experience as your bump grows bigger in the second and third trimesters, but the best pregnancy pillows can help you get a little more shut eye in the months leading up your baby’s arrival. Longer in length than a normal pillow, pregnancy pillows are designed to support the changing shape of a pregnant woman’s body. There are hundreds available online, but together with the help of Rachel Fitz-Desorgher, a baby and parenting expert, we’ve selected our top 11. They range in price from £27 to £159 and we’ve covered brands from Cushy Puff and Bbhug me to Silentnight and Simba. Our full reviews of each are below, followed by an FAQ section on how to use them, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our five of our favourites: The best pregnancy pillows: At a glance How to choose the best pregnancy pillow When you start searching for the best pregnancy pillow you might feel overwhelmed at the amount of choice available. Fitz-Desorgher says the key …

The best prams, pushchairs and buggies of 2026

The best prams, pushchairs and buggies of 2026

Published by Sam Flores

Poppins’ advice is never to buy a pram or pushchair without trying it out first in-store: “Mamas and Papas or John Lewis have an incredible selection of all the leading brands and styles,” she says. So, what should new parents look for when hands-on testing a new pram or stroller? “Consider how easy it is to fold down, for putting in the back of the car or storing at home,” she says. “Compact options are great for lifting in and out of a vehicle, but they can feel harder to push, especially on your wrists and when navigating rough terrain. There is also the risk of the system tipping if you hang a bag or some shopping onto the handlebars. If you know you will be carrying more gear, I would opt for something much sturdier with bigger wheels and a larger base to attachment ratio.” Taking all these factors into account, my fellow Telegraph Recommended testers and I, all new parents, trialled the latest models. This involved assessing how easy the units were to …

The best baby monitors – including audio and video options

The best baby monitors – including audio and video options

Published by Sam Flores

Millie Poppins, a baby expert and motherhood mentor, says: “The first choice is whether you want video and audio, or audio only. The second consideration is whether the camera is connected to a smartphone app, or has a separate monitor.” Range will be another factor; either go for a model that uses a direct link between the camera and parent unit, or one that uses the home Wi-Fi, or both. We found the range – the maximum working distance between the camera and parent unit – was seldom as far as advertised. Walls and floors reduce it, so the true range will depend on your home internet strength. Anyone with dodgy Wi-Fi, should opt for a monitor that can function without it. “A good battery lifespan is also a must,” says Millie. “My number-one tip is to fully charge the battery before you use the monitor for the first time, to improve its battery life potential long-term. I also love monitors that are easily moved, as opposed to mounted to the wall. This allows you …

Does it actually help babies sleep?

Does it actually help babies sleep?

Published by Sam Flores

What is the Rockit Rocker? The Rockit Rocker is a small, rechargeable gadget that clips onto your pram and gently rocks it for you – a modern parenting miracle I kept hearing about in my NCT antenatal courses and parenting WhatsApp groups. It’s been trending for good reason: anything that saves your arms during witching hour spreads through parent circles like wildfire. At £40, it sits at the smarter end of pram accessories – the sort you justify after one particularly fraught nap attempt. The universal bracket fits most pushchairs, and, once attached, the Rockit delivers a steady, soothing motion with adjustable speeds and a surprisingly quiet motor. Its rechargeable battery is a welcome upgrade from the older AA-powered model, promising far fewer last-minute dashes for new batteries. Lightweight yet robust, the Rockit Rocker is designed for real-world parenting, whether you’re strolling in the park or sneaking in a coffee when chasing naps feels like an Olympic sport. JUMP TO: When I test a parenting gadget, I want to know whether it genuinely makes life …

The best running buggies, tried and tested (with the help of a giggling two year-old)

The best running buggies, tried and tested (with the help of a giggling two year-old)

Published by Sam Flores

As a mum of two little boys, staying fit and active has become increasingly important to me. I lost a lot of strength after my second son was born, and finding the best running buggy meant an opportunity to get back to my previous fitness levels. Getting to my usual spin class isn’t always possible, and working out at home is often affected by other factors such as how long my son naps. That’s why the concept of a running pram or buggy appeals: it lets me go for a run, but is also an effective way of calming an unsettled baby or toddler. (On one tricky day, running was the only thing that stopped my 18-month year old from crying). If you’re asking, ‘What is a running buggy?’ it’s similar to a traditional pram, but has three wheels that are larger in size. The front wheel often locks for added suspension and control. Most have a brake at the handlebar. It’s worth pointing out that no strollers are actually sold for full-on running: the …