Premature Birth Complications: Short and Long-Term Health Effects

Parents Rave About Asda's Baby & Toddler Sale, Which Has Sleepsuits Down To Just £1.50 & Many Items 50 Per Cent Off

IF you have a baby or toddler, you may wish to pop down to Asda.

The supermarket is currently having a baby and toddler super sale, with numerous items reduced to just £1.50, including adorable sleepsuits.

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Asda currently has a baby and toddler sale, with many items as low as £1.50Credit: Asda

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You can pick up this adorable set in the sale, which is up to 50 per cent offCredit: Asda

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This cherry-themed outfit is also discounted in the saleCredit: Asda

Parents can pick up designs themed on bunnies or football - and there are even tops and trousers reduced to just over a quid too.

The sale is up to 50 per cent off, and there are also sleepsuits discounted to £3 with each initial on the front.

Or perhaps you'd prefer one themed on cherries or bears instead.

And toddler parents can also stock up on Disney socks, toddler trousers and tops too.

You can currently take advantage of the super savings online at Asda George.

However, the sale is expected to arrive in-stores next week.

Many parents seemed keen to take advantage of the reduced baby and toddler items.

Mums and dads have been racing to Asda in their thousands, to take advantage of the supermarket's latest Baby Event.

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The April campaign - which runs from now until 21st April - includes hundreds of products on offer and savings of up to 55 per cent on tonnes of parenting essentials. 

Stand out deals include Pampers wipes, reduced from £2.50 to £1.25 for a 48-pack, Johnson's Baby Shampoo, down to £1.95 from £3.00 and Sudocrem for £7.50 instead of £9.50.

Four simple ways to save money at Asda

Pampers Pants are now £4.50 - down from £10 - making them one of the biggest offers in the Baby Event, with an impressive 55 per cent off.

And the offers continue on pricier products as well.

The Medela Breast Pump is down to £110, from £159.99, while you can get the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep bottle maker for £75 instead of £90.

Top Tips To Nab The Best Shopping Bargains

Finding deals and offers can be tricky if you don't know where to look.

Here's a list of hacks you can use to become a bargain-hunting pro and save on your shopping bill:

Join Facebook groups - Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, Latest Deals and Reduce Your Supermarket Spend are all Facebook groups helping you reduce your spending and find good deals

Get following - Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its newsletters to get the latest on any offers

Check hotukdeals - The deal-sharing website lists offers as they're spotted by savvy shoppers

Use barcode scanners - Retailers such as B&M let shoppers scan the barcodes on its app to see if it's cheaper than the price listed on the shelf

While the Leaping Leopard Jumperoo is £63 instead of £110.

In addition to the incredible Baby Event deals, April also marks the launch of the Asda Rewards Baby & Toddler Club.

Signing up for the club before the 30th June means parents will receive 10% back in their Cashpot for the entire baby category in store and online.

Plus they will also have access to benefits and helpful articles for pregnant parents-to-be all the way to those with kids up to the age of five.

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Parents can get personalised sleepsuits for £3 eachCredit: Asda

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Disney fans can also stock up on themed socksCredit: Asda

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The baby and toddler sale also includes tops, shorts, and shoesCredit: Asda

Diaper Bag Essentials To Help You Pack As Light As Possible

A reliable diaper bag is a must for parents of young children, but it can quickly become a black hole for unnecessary gear. Focusing on diaper bag essentials and knowing what to pack in the diaper bag can save busy parents time and back pain down the road. At baseline, diaper bags "provide an essential space to keep items that families will need to have on hand while out with their baby," says pediatrician Dr. Ashanti Woods. "Its importance is not fully appreciated until you forget this bag," he adds.

We've rounded up the true essentials you need to pack in your diaper bag.

Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers

But what you pack in the bag matters. Having the right diaper bag essentials on hand just makes life easier, says pediatrician Danelle Fisher, M.D. "It's hard sometimes to plan for every little thing that will happen with a baby," she says. "They do things—they spit up, poop through their clothes, get a cut or scrape...It's nice to anticipate these ahead of time so you're not panicked in the moment."

Of course, every family's needs are different and there is some variety in what each caregiver considers essentials. But experts say you probably don't want to leave home without certain baby products. Stock your diaper bag with these.

Diaper Bag Essentials At A Glance Diaper Bag Essentials: Diapering

At its core, a well-packed diaper bag has products to keep your little one clean and dry. "Babies need to eat and be clean. Everything else can wait," Woods says. However, you'll likely want more than just the barebones essentials. That's why it's best to include a changing pad, diapers, wipes and diaper ointment in your bag, says Krupa Playforth, M.D., a pediatrician at Warm Heart Pediatrics in northern Virginia and founder of the Pediatrician Mom.

Playforth also recommends adding plastic bags to the mix, too. "If your child has a blowout and you need a space to store a soiled outfit, or there is no easy way to dispose of a dirty diaper, having extra plastic bags can go a long way to making sure everything else in the diaper bag stays clean," she says.

Diapering needs will change as your baby grows, but it's a good idea to have one diaper you can use per hour you plan to be out when your baby is small, says Megan Winokur, blogger and mom of two. She also recommends packing smaller quantities of wipes. "I like to store the wipes in smaller travel packs because the large packs you have at home will take up too much space and they are heavy," she says.

Amazon

Huggies Little Snugglers

Diapers should be the first thing you put in your diaper bag, and the product you're most on top of, Fisher says. Huggies Little Snugglers is our top pick of the best diapers we've tested, consistently containing poop blowouts and preventing leaks in babies and toddlers. These diapers have a flexible waistband that allows for a snug fit, along with a wetness indicator that tips you off to when baby needs changing. That's especially handy when you're on the road and want to conserve diapers. Huggies Little Snugglers works well for kids with different body shapes and sizes, too.

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Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes (504 Count)

Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes are a favorite of many parents due to their soft feel and gentleness on delicate skin. They're also often the preferred choice at hospitals. I've used these with all four of my kids and found they're thick enough for cleaning up everything from blowouts to peanut butter crusted onto stroller straps. They even work well as tissues if you accidentally leave them out. These wipes are hypoallergenic and fragrance free, and the pop-top makes it easy to pull out one wipe at a time.

Amazon

Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream

Diaper rash is bound to come up at some point, even when you're on the go. Vetted extensive testing found that the Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream is the best diaper rash cream thanks to its quality ingredients and effectiveness at creating a barrier against moisture. The cream features 12% zinc oxide, along with plant-based ingredients like calendula, chamomile and lavender to soothe your baby's delicate skin. Its relatively petite size means it won't hog precious space in your bag.

MOST POPULAR

Dagne Dover

Dagne Dover Joey Changing Kit

While you can technically plop your child directly onto a changing table, it's more comfortable and hygienic to use a changing pad. You can also use this pad to turn a range of other surfaces (the backseat of your car, the floor of your child-free friend's home) into a changing area in a pinch. Dagne Dover's Joey Changing Kit has gentle padding to keep baby comfortable during diapering, with a waterproof surface to help protect from unexpected accidents. It also has pockets for wipes, diapers, cream and other small essentials you may need during changes. The pad's strap can clip onto the outside of your diaper bag, but the whole thing is slim enough to slip into the bag itself.

Amazon

Ubbi On The Go Bag Dispenser

Getting caught on the road with a poopy diaper or freshly blown-out clothes can get disgusting fast. Ubbi's On The Go Bag Dispenser lets you securely stash your soiled stuff until you can get near a garbage can or washing machine. The dispenser looks nearly identical to dog poop bag dispensers and performs double duty for your canine when you're in a pinch. Each bag is lightly lavender-scented to ward off odors. Clip it to your diaper bag or stroller for easy access.

Diaper Bag Essentials: Feeding

Babies and toddlers get hungry often, and you want to be ready for the next feeding on demand. "If you're doing formula, bottles can be helpful," Fisher says. She recommends thinking in advance about how many hours you'll be gone and packing a little more than you think you'll need.

If your child is older, a water bottle can also be helpful, along with something to munch on. "Snacks are a must—they can help tide your child over until the next meal," Fisher says.

Amazon

Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle With Natural Response Nipple

Babies eat a lot, especially when they're little. This pack from Philips Avent allows you to stash several bottles in your bag at once to whip out whenever hunger strikes. They top our list of the best baby bottles because they feature Avent's Natural Response nipple, which is designed to mimic breastfeeding, with an anti-colic valve to help keep air away from baby's stomach. The bottles don't have a lot of parts, making them easy to clean.

Having a cool drink handy is a must for toddlers, and my kids love this water bottle. The Yeti Rambler Jr. Is made from stainless steel, with double-walled vacuum insulation that keeps contents cold for hours—even on scorching days. The straw top is easy for kids to open and close, and the whole thing is durable in case of inevitable drops or tantrum tosses. It's also slender enough to fit in most bottle pockets, if your diaper bag has one.

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Munchkin Snack Catcher Toddler Snack Cups

I once went outside the house without snacks and will never willingly make that mistake again. Munchkin's Snack Catcher cups have a special soft top that allows little hands to go in while making it harder for contents to spill out, so it's a good choice in the car or strollers. They're ideal for cereal, crackers, grapes and other small snacks to keep kids full and happy on the road. Handles on both sides help kids get and keep a grip on the container.

Diaper Bag Essentials: Soothing And Entertainment

Babies and toddlers will inevitably get bored or tired on the go. Having items to soothe and entertain them can mean the difference between a seamless journey and one that dissolves into chaos.

Fisher recommends having a favorite toy, along with a backup, in your diaper bag. "Kids will drop stuff in the dirt or on the ground, and you want to have another toy ready to go," she says.

A lightweight baby blanket can also be helpful if nap time strikes while you're out, Winokur says. "The blanket can double as a nursing cover, if you need one," she adds.

Amazon

Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier (4-Pack)

Pacifiers have a way of ending up on the ground, making it important to have backups ready. The Philips Avent Soothie is a popular choice with doctors and hospitals, and comes in a four-pack, so you can have multiples ready to go. This pacifier is orthodontic-friendly and meets the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation of being in one piece. It's also BPA-free and made of hospital-grade, latex-free silicone. 

Sophie is an icon with the under-2 crowd, thanks to her ability to work as a toy and teether. Made from 100% natural rubber with plenty of spaces to gnaw on, this toy is worthy of space in your bag. If your Sophie happens to land on the ground, just clean her off with soapy water and a damp cloth for the next round.

Loulou Lollipop's muslin quilt blanket is lightweight, but heavy enough to double as a cozy stroller blanket as needed, making it a Forbes Vetted staff favorite. The covering comes in a huge range of sweet, double-sided prints, allowing you to coordinate shades with your diaper bag. Loulou Lollipop's blanket is also Okeo-Tex 100 certified to be free from a range of concerning chemicals.

Diaper Bag Essentials: Health And Safety

There's a risk of scrapes and bumps no matter where you are. Having the tools handy that you need to patch up your little one can allow you to continue with your day instead of scrambling to get home. That's why Playforth recommends having a "small first aid kit" in your bag for the just in case. Hand sanitizer for quick clean-ups and sunscreen after your child is 6 months old can also be helpful, Fisher says.

If you have an infant, Woods suggests carrying the newborn discharge summary from your hospital or birthing center with you in case of emergency. "This document quickly brings the ER doctors—who aren't familiar with your baby—up to speed with past medical history," he explains.

Target

Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go Portable Mini Travel Kit

This mini first aid kit from Johnson & Johnson is a diaper bag staple for my family, and it's come in handy more times than I anticipated. The kit contains gauze, cleaning wipes and several sizes of Band-Aids, making it perfect for unexpected scratches and scrapes. While the bandages are a basic beige, you can always swap in more colorful options as your kit supplies are depleted.

Amazon

Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Variety Pack

You touch a lot when you're out—including dirty diapers—making it important to clean your hands on demand. Purell Advanced kills 99.9% of germs and is free of parabens, aluminum and dyes. This set of eight has convenient clip-on carriers to hook onto your bag for quick access.

Amazon

Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen

Sunscreen is recommended for kids after 6 months, making it a good idea to keep a tube handy. This zinc oxide sunscreen from Eucerin is gentle on skin and easy to rub in. It also doesn't leave that tell-tale white cast that's common with many zinc oxide sunscreens. This sunscreen is free of fragrance, oil, dyes, parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone and octinoxate—and it's gentle on your wallet.

Diaper Bag Essentials: A Change Of Clothes

Every expert Forbes Vetted consulted stressed the importance of having a spare change of clothes—or two—in your diaper bag. "You absolutely never know when you need that," Playforth says.

This is such an important item that Fisher recommends checking your bag regularly to make sure the sizing you have is still appropriate for your child. If you happen to use your backup clothes during a trip out of the house, she suggests replacing it as soon as you come home so you don't forget.

The key with diaper bag backup clothes is to put in gear you're OK with keeping there. Carter's is a great destination for affordable cotton bodysuit packs, so you can stash a few in your bag and use the rest at home. Layer these under pants and a sweater or have baby wear them as-is on warmer days. They roll up small and come in a variety of coordinating prints. Or for more recommendations, peruse our list of the best baby clothes.

Babies are remarkably skilled at losing socks, making it important to have a backup pair or two at the ready. Bombas' baby socks have a snug fit and Y-stitched heel to help keep them in place. They also come in a range of neutral shades to raise the odds you'll match whatever your little one happens to be wearing.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted parenting team knows the importance of being prepared when you venture out with your child—we're parents ourselves. We have hands-on experience with diaper bag must-haves, and have also seen what can happen when you're caught without the essentials. We're also experts in parenting gear, and have spent thousands of hours researching and testing baby and kids products to ensure we only recommend the best items available.

To enhance our personal knowledge and research, we consulted with three pediatricians and a mom blogger for additional advice: Ashanti Woods, M.D., a pediatrician at Mercy Family Care Physician in Baltimore; Danelle Fisher, M.D., a pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Krupa Playforth, M.D., a pediatrician at Warm Heart Pediatrics in northern Virginia and founder of the Pediatrician Mom; and Megan Winokur, blogger and mom of two.

From there, we relied on our own testing of many of these items to ensure our picks make your time on the go with your child a little easier. Because feedback from other parents is important, too, we analyzed reviews of each item and only recommended products with an average of four or more stars.

What Are Must-Haves For A Diaper Bag?

In addition to a spare change of clothes, Playforth recommends having a changing pad, diapers, wipes, diaper ointment, a small first aid kit, extra snacks and a toy. "If your infant is younger, you may also want pacifiers and pacifier wipes, a nursing cover and/or other supplies for feeding," she says. Plastic bags are a must for soiled clothes and diapers, Playforth adds.

But every parent—and their must-haves—are different, Fisher says. That's why she recommends establishing your own essentials and doing a mental checklist of how many of each item you have when you walk back into your home. "Think, 'OK, I know I still have five diapers and plenty of wipes, I'm good to go,'" she says. If you're out of something, grab it and place it in your bag when you come home to lower the risk you'll forget. "The last thing you want to do is to struggle to fill your diaper bag when you're leaving the house, because you have somewhere you have to be," Fisher says.

A Look At The 175-year History Of Baseball Uniforms

Baseball uniforms have been around 175 years and have undergone some changes. The new version has not been a hit with fans and players, but the league is working its way out of a jam.

The uniforms might be new but they've been a long time in the making. Major League Baseball says it's been six years since the league began working on these uniform changes, gathering input from clubs and players as they looked to optimize the outfits for the best performance possible.

MLB and Nike teamed up in 2019 on a 10-year deal, with the apparel company taking over for Majestic Athletic, which had been making jerseys for the league since 1982.

Pampers or Huggies?

But the pants are the issue. Many players complained that when they wear white tops and white pants, the tucked-in jersey can look like a diaper because the pants are relatively see-through.

A cropped photo of Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes in spring training shows the sheer material of the new uniforms some players are unhappy with. The plus side

MLB officials say these uniforms improve mobility by providing 25% more stretch and also will dry 28% faster. Nike says they incorporate more recycled material than past uniforms, lowering emissions from manufacturing.

What's next?

One potential solution is that players could wear last year's pants until the problems are solved. No decision has been made by the league.

Subtle differences

Paul Lukas of Uni-Watch, a blog dedicated to uniform design, described the 2024 changes: "Stretchier fabric, changing home jerseys from white to a subtle off-white, narrowing the placket (the vertical strip on the front of the shirt upon which the buttons sit), altering the belt loops, moving the MLB logo down on the back of the jersey and reducing the size of the last-name lettering." Smaller lettering has fans complaining and players perplexed the most.

What they cost

There are several price ranges for the new jerseys. The cost of what's closest to what the players wear would buy you some very good seats to Opening Day.

Nike Vapor Premier Elite JerseyAuthentic jersey, as worn by players on the field.$355

Nike Vapor Premier Limited JerseyInspired by the on-field jersey, it has an embroidered Nike Swoosh, heat-applied twill logos, a woven, heat-applied label, heat-applied sublimated twill player name and number.$175

Nike Vapor Premier Game JerseyReplica player jersey with silicone printed heat-transfer front logo, Nike Swoosh and silhouetted batter, screen-printed back player name and number, heat-applied labels.For purchase soon.

Notable events in baseball uniforms

Sources: Baseball Hall of Fame, Powers Sports Memorabilia, "Today" show, MLBcollectors.Com, MLB.Com, Uni-watch.Com, The Associated Press, Nike

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