Obaby Atlas Scribble stroller

After being very happy with the wonderful performance by the Graco mosaic travel system, for 18 months, we decided that we needed a umbrella-fold light weight stroller for travel purposes. We do take the public transport quite a lot and in the trains and buses it is a hassle if we have to fold our pram and put it away. Although a great stroller, the Graco mosaic is cumbersome when folded and has big wheels that makes fitting it anywhere other than big luggage racks a hassle. With Anjalie's grandparents offering to buy her a new stroller we thought it was a perfect time to go stroller hunting. After much research, looking around and tries. We bought the Obaby Atlas stroller with scribble design for £70 in Amazon a month ago.

It is light weight (7.7 kgs) and folds small H107 x W31 x D26 cm and compared to our Graco system it had two advantages, viz., smaller wheels and umbrella folding. We have not yet tried to fit the pram in the train overhead rack. But, with the small wheels and fold-flat mechanism, we hope that it will fit. It was one of the few light-weight push chairs that recline fully and also has enough leg rest that can fold down or stay up right.  This means that Anjalie can sleep very comfortably in this stroller. We did take it out and about for a couple weeks now. Having been extremely satisfied with our Graco mosaic, the Obaby Atlas, has some mighty wheels to fill. It is definitely light and easy to push and manoeuvre around. But it is also very flimsy and has already started to feel a little shaky in uneven terrains. This definitely cannot handle the wear and tear we have put our Graco Mosaic system through! We are not happy with the straps either. We do not doubt that it is safe. But Anjalie is at a stage where she is learning and wants to do everything for herself. She likes to do and undo the straps in her pushchair, high seat etc. The Graco straps were safe and easier for her to deal with on her own. But with the Obaby Atlas push chair it is very easy for her fingers to be caught in them, and squeezed, which is not great. Also the brake system is not the best design (which we were warned about by others before buying). The brake bar is flexible and flimsy. While, you can set the brakes by pressing on either side of the bar, to undo the brake you have kick in the centre of the bar. If we cannot get this right, we have to try to kick on both sides of the bar to adjust it (not ideal). Last, but not least, the maximum weight for this push chair is 15 kgs, while, Graco Mosaic can take up to 18 kgs. So we have decided to simply keep it for travelling purposes and continue using our Graco Mosaic day to day activities. The one point where it is better than the Graco mosaic is the compact easy throw over rain cover that comes with the stroller. It is very thick, easy to attach, fits perfectly and provides full coverage.


To summarise, Pros: light-weight, folds-flat, takes up less space, easy to move and manoeuvre, fully reclines, adjustable leg rest.


Cons: flimsy (not for everyday wear-n-tear & rough terrains), strap system can catch small toddler fingers, terrible design for the brakes.


Our verdict: good for travelling or once in a while use or as a spare. Cannot take everyday wear and tear or rough terrains.

Philips AVENT iQ24 Electric Steam Steriliser and bottle warmer

We got this as part of our Breastfeeding set. It came with a set of two 125 ml and 250 ml bottles with new born (extra soft) teats, a bottle warmer and Thermal bag for transport. The steriliser accommodates 6 bottles as well as breast pump. It sterilises in 8 mins and has 2 cycles with one of them that keeps the bottles sterilized for 24 hrs.  It also comes with tongs and cleaning brush.  It is very easy to use and does a good job in keeping the bottles sterilized and is very convenient. It is also easy to maintain and easy to clean up. However, it stopped working all of a sudden after one year (exactly after the warranty was finished). By then we had stopped sterilising for Anjalie, so we could not be bothered to pay Philips to come and repair. So we just chucked it. I would have expected better quality from Philips and for the price.

While it lasted, it was very helpful to keep all things sterilized for Anjalie including her dummies. It fit my Avent Isis Uno breast pump and still had more space to fit other weaning bowls in it which is great. In my opinion the tong is useless. It is so tiny that you will need a tong to pick this tong!  It is a shame that it did not last longer. 

The exact same thing happened with the Avent bottle warmer as well. Exactly 1 week after the warranty expired, it expired! While it was working it was convenient to warm up Anjalie's bottles. It fits both 125 ml and 250 ml Avent bottles. I never tried it to warm up solids since it can only be used with Avent product and I was using another weaning product. The buttons can be a bit cumbersome at times. It requires you to hold them down to choose the volume and sometimes the buttons can act up and not work at all. It is easy to clean and use though.

We have used both the bottle warmer and sterilizer regularly (every day) for a year. It is such a shame that they do not last longer than the warranty period! 

Pocket sprung mattress from baby mattress online

After much shopping around for mattresses, for baby's cot-bed, we had decided to go along with pocket sprung mattress with cool-max cover. However, these were very expensive in baby stores like Mothercare and after shopping around online for prices we went with babymattressesonline.co.uk. It was at least £50-80 cheaper online (including delivery charges). Since our cot-bed was standard size the mattress was easily available and came with PVC waterproof sleeve (removable) for accident protection. The mattress is a perfect fit for our cot-bed. It also had different choices for covers and we chose the cool-max quilted cover. The cover goes on and comes off the mattress with a zipper and easy to wash. We got a spare cover entirely free. The prices seemed so reasonable that I even bought 3 fitted sheets from them. The sheets were very good quality as well and easily washable. The PVC sheet can be wiped down with an antibacterial solution and cleans of easily. We machine wash all other sheets and covers. The cool-max covers cannot be tumble dried or ironed due to the plastic zippers. We just hang them up to dry normally. We have used the mattress & sheets for 17 months and still is very good and comfy. The delivery service was prompt. I chose standard delivery (£10) and it took a week to reach me which was not a problem. You can choose next day delivery for more money.

In conclusion, this was a good buy and we plan to buy our next mattress for Anjalie, once she out grows her cot-bed, from the same place.

Mothercare Ayelsbury/Addington Cot Bed

The Aylesbury cot bed is very sturdy and easy to put together. We have been using it since Anjalie was born, but, it was mostly for naps. Anjalie has been co-sleeping at night since birth. Since she turned 1 year, we moved this cot next to our bed and removed one of the side panels to extend the sleeping area for all of us. For the price we paid we are happy with the purchase. I think now it is called Addington instead of Aylesbury. If you are looking for a sturdy cot bed to use from birth, for a reasonable price, this will not disappoint.

Tommee Tippee Sangenic Hygiene Plus Nappy disposal system

Sangenic Hygiene plus Nappy disposal system is convenient, easy to use and best way to keep the house from smelling like nappies. We still use them and unless you want to take the nappies out every time you change the baby, this system is a worthwhile investment. It wraps the nappies up individually and there by keeping them from smelling up the entire household. The only down side is that the cartridges are an ongoing expense. But I would say that it is worth it for keeping the house from stinking. The easy push lid means that you do not have to use your hand to push the nappy down which is a plus. The only suggestion I have is to buy the cartridges in large numbers when they are on sale. This will make a great baby shower present.

Cosatto Easipeasi Changer Kaleidoscope Bath Dresser

This is one of the practical and helpful items we bought before Anjalie was born. This is a sturdy unit that can be used as a changing station as well as for bathing the baby. It also provides ample storage to keep baby's things in place. It is suitable from birth until 15 kgs. The bath unit/small tub comes with a practical drain tube and does not take any extra space. The wheels can be locked to keep it from moving. The changing area is padded to be soft for the baby. It is easy to clean as well which is a huge plus.

We found the unit to be very practical and useful both for changing and bathing Anjalie. We used it for both bath and changing until Anjalie could stand up on her own around 9/10 months. The nappy change times were very short due to having everything in one place and so was very easy to deal with a squirmy baby. However, we stopped using the unit once Anjalie was around 9-10 months since she was now able to stand and we were worried that she might fall easily.


It is a little pricey and was used only for 9-10 months. Among the available changing/bath units this is quite a nice space saver and very convenient. However, I am not sure if I will buy it again if I were to choose again since it was useful only for 9-10 months compared to it's cost of almost £90. Perhaps if it had straps, for the baby, we might continue to use it for nappy change. However, the bath tub will be too small for Anjalie. The only plus (at the moment) being that it is a space saver, we feel it is a pricey one and, we would be better off getting a dresser.

Mothercare 4-way Baby Carrier

While we are on the topic of transport for the baby, I would like to discuss about Mothercare 4-way baby carrier. It can support baby's weight range from 3.5 kgs to 10 kgs and works in 4 positions, with baby in front, facing forward or towards the parent, with baby in the back (like a back-pack) and with baby in nursing position. It distributes the weight evenly through the back and shoulders for carrying the baby around comfortably while leaving both hands free to get some much needed house work done. It is machine washable and comes with a hood for the cold weather.

Anjalie with daddy in her carrier

We have used the carrier in 2 of the 4 positions regularly, i.e., with the baby in the front, facing us or outside. Anjalie was never comfortable with the nursing position, so never could get a good latch to remain while breastfeeding with Anjalie inside the carrier. So I gave up after a few tries with a protesting Anjalie. We did not use the baby in the back-pack mode mainly because all 3 of us enjoyed the cuddle-like position with her in the front.

Anjalie at 4 months with mum and Grandpa

Anjalie is on the smaller side (in the 9th percentile) so this baby carrier was a little big for her as a new born (Anjalie weighed 3.3 kgs). Until Anjalie was 3-4 months we had just used a long soft cloth to make into a sling (my cotton saree served the purpose well) and it was comfortable for her. Initially, she was not very happy to be transferred to the baby carrier and had to get used to it. It is not as soft and cozy as a sling for her. Compared to a sling (which was not pre-made), the carrier was easy for me to put on and take off. Initially I would worry about using the carrier, by myself, afraid that I might not be able to get the buckles in properly. But after a few practice sessions, when my husband was around, we both got the hang of it. It is easy to clip on and take off with one hand. The back has adjustable straps for waist size and height, so both my husband and I could use it with small adjustments. Also it is a lot easier and safer to make all the adjustments and clip the carrier on to yourself before putting the baby in the carrier. It gives great support to the back and is very comfortable for us. Even now I am able to comfortably carry Anjalie for a quick trip to the grocery in it and she is now 9.3 kgs!

Anjalie at 8 months with Mum and Grand-mum

From 4 months until she was 9 months Anjalie showed a particular preference to the sling more than her pram and would be very excited when she sees me put it on. It cannot be simply because she was going out since her excitement was not the same with the pram. I think she was happy to be held close to her parents while she was outside and seeing things. We only stopped using the carrier regularly, for long trips, when Anjalie turned 10 months and was walking around on her own. She was getting a bit heavy to carry around for long by then anyway. The carrier was a lot easier to travel with since we do not have to deal with the bulky pram. Most of all, Anjalie  was happy to go out in the carrier and when she got tired, I used to just turn her around to face me and, she would fall asleep quickly. She seemed quite comfortable to sleep like that until she was 10 months. However, once Anjalie got a bit bigger (after 10 months) it was not always as comfortable as a pram for her to sleep in for long. By no way can this be a replacement for a buggy, however, it has some advantages like ease of travelling in public transport.


This is not suitable for outdoor trips if the weather is foul. The baby will be much better protected from the elements in the  pram. Also the hood does not always fit properly. It either covered her eyes and annoyed her when she was little or it was not fitting over her properly when she got bigger. So we never used it much. 

Graco Mosaic Travel System

Anjalie in her Graco pram on day 10

This is one of the first baby product we used other than clothes, nappies etc. We brought Anjalie home from the hospital in the car seat that came with the travel system. Since day 1 we have used it almost every single day until now (Anjalie is now 17 months old). It is one of the good decisions we have made. After seeing 2 winters (& snow), and being used in all kinds of weather, it still is great and just needs a little cleaning and could do with re-fitting of the wheels now. We had bought it for its light weight, since we mainly use the public transport. It does get a bit bulky when used with the car seat, but is easy to fold otherwise and can be stored easily in the trains. We used to use it along with car seat to make it into parent-facing ride for our little one, since as a newborn, Anjalie was happy to be in the cosy car seat and facing her parents. Once she got curious about her surrounds (around 4 months), she was happy to go into the forward facing pram and we did not use the car seat after that excepting when taking the car. We were told that the car seat fits with ISO-fix as well, although, we did not care about it. The only real criticism I have for the pram is that the seat does not go all the way up to let Anjalie sit straight. So most of the time she sits up straight by coming forward in the pram. Despite this, Anjalie loves the pram and goes to sleep there. She would share anything else (including food and toys) with her friends but her pram! If I were to nit-pick I would add that the foot-muff has started to slide down since the Velcro attachment is worn and also Anjalie is now heavier. I doubt that even a new Velcro piece will hold it in place due to Anjalie weight (9 kgs). Wish it was designed better to take her weight. Be warned that it is not an all terrain pram and we have only used it on proper side walks etc. Also the car seat is appropriate for rear-facing only. We will soon have to get Anjalie a toddler car seat.

Anjalie at 12 months in her pram