Latest news with #Love
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Honest mum's review - Love to Dream sleep bag and Sleep Machine
We tested out a Love to Dream sleep bag and its white noise Sleep Machine to see what worked for my 18-month-old toddler As parents, there's isn't much we wouldn't do to guarantee a good night's sleep for our baby. A perfect ambient room temperature, milk warmed to the ideal degree and a complete lack of light in their room thanks to meticulously placed blackout blinds; those of us still reeling from sleep deprivation know all the tips and tricks to get our little ones off to the Land of Nod. My own daughter, now 18 months, was a pretty good daytime sleeper from the off - friends joked that for the first few months they never actually saw her awake, thanks to her love of napping in her pram. She snoozed her way through a six-week baby massage course, multiple Bumps to Babies classes, and even her first trip to the zoo, while we, her parents, dutifully trooped around all the animals waiting for her Ladyship to wake up. Nighttimes, naturally, were a completely different matter. While we dodged the four-month sleep regression, the six-month one hit hard, and she would wake every 45 minutes throughout the night. For a good six weeks. A sage friend recommended we try a white noise machine to get our sleeping beauty used to some sort of routine. A 1990 study found white noise can help newborns drift off to sleep, with 80 percent of the 40 babies who took part in the research dropping off within five minutes of hearing white noise. So it was well worth investigating... Love to Dream Sleep Machine Love to Dream, inventors of the Swaddle Up suit, got in touch to see if my daughter would like to try their new Sleep Machine, a very cute hand-sized, heart-shaped gadget that has nine different sounds to lull your little one to sleep. It's rechargeable - meaning no faffing about in the middle of the night searching for batteries - and plugs straight into a USB-C compatible charger. When the battery starts running low, you'll see a red flashing light reminding you to stick it on to charge again. The machine comes with its own charger but no plug, so just be aware before you buy. A single full charge lasts for 22 hours - a stand-out feature among what is becoming quite a crowded market. Among the pre-set noises are whooshing womb sounds - which my daughter absolutely loved - rainfall, hushing, bird song, heartbeat, rhythmic white noise, brown noise and lullabies. The pre-record feature is genius, allowing users to record 30 seconds of their own sound so you can soothe your baby from afar - perfect if you're just finishing off a hot cuppa as your little one stirs from their nap. And there's even a Bluetooth mode, which you can pair to your phone to play music, nursery rhymes and stories to your toddler when they're a bit older. The Sleep Machine also becomes a night light for middle-of-the-night wakings, when you're desperately groping around for a bottle in the dark. Its warm white, red and pink breathing lights, which can be set in three different brightness levels, support the production of melatonin, which is essential for sleep. Unlike blue light, which is emitted from phones, red light won't disrupt a baby's circadian rhythm. Pros of the Sleep Machine We loved its auto-start cry detection, which automatically starts playing the chosen soothing sound when it hears your baby crying. My daughter occasionally stirs at night without fully waking, so having the Sleep Machine kick in with gentle womb noises when there's a stray 'wah' helps keep the whole household in bed for longer. Its size and shape lends itself to easy transport. If you know you're going to be out and about during baby's nap, you can pop the Sleep Machine on their pram with its handy silicone strap and let them drift off, with the device masking sounds of traffic, busy crowds and general public noise. If you get a few minutes to yourself, put your feet up, close your eyes and play the 'lullaby' noise. It's just like being in a spa! Cons of the Sleep Machine The cost may put off parents, considering there are cheaper white noise machines on the market. The Sleep Machine costs £54.99 (with 10% off first-time purchasers from Love to Dream's website), but honestly, the makers have thought of absolutely everything to help their device stand out. The pre-record feature is a little tricky to figure out at first, and you might have to re-do it a few times (especially if the postie turns up at your door, sending your dog into a barking frenzy...). You can buy the Sleep Machine from Amazon, there is also a white noise version for £6.09. It too plays soothing white noise, has a strap for portability and is recharged using a USB cable. Love to Dream sleep bag review We also tested out the sleep bag from Love to Dream, having been sold on sleep sacks from when my daughter was first born (she loved nothing more than being swaddled in soft, warm fabrics). Designed in partnership with The Lullaby Trust, the long-sleeved suit we tested has a built-in quilted blanket made from premium organic cotton filling - which feels lovely against soft, sensitive baby skin - and 30% Australian Merino wool for warmth. Merino also helps to regulate temperature, making it an ideal choice for baby sleepwear. The long sleeves were a gamechanger on those cooler nights as we transitioned from winter to spring, and are still great now when the weather takes a dip. We opted for the 2.5 tog sack, which can be used in bedrooms when the indoor temperature is between 16 and 20C. The little sheep are super-cute too, and my toddler loves pointing to them and yelling "BAAA!" just as we're trying to calm her down for bed. Pros of the Love to Dream sleep bag The twin zipper means late-night nappy changes are a doddle: no having to undress your baby completely, thus waking them up. The sleep sack washes beautifully at 40C in the machine, with no bobbling or colour fading. If anything, the fabric gets softer over time with each wash. And the wool material helps support good sleep thanks to its temperature-regulating qualities, meaning our daughter is kept consistently warm but not too hot overnight. Cons of the Love to Dream sleep bag If there's just the tiniest quibble, it's that the sizing could be different. Our one is a Size 0-1, which the company says fits babies aged six months to 18 months - but you'd risk losing a six-month-old in this one! If you're ordering online, check out the size guide and have a measuring tape to hand so you know what's best to fit your youngster. Why don't they have this in adult sizes?! I could definitely see myself drifting off in one of these. The Rose Lamb's Best Friend sleep bag costs £52.99 from Love to Dream, but if looking for a cheaper option, you could try the Chilsuessy long-sleeved sleep suit from Amazon for £22.99. Reviewers love the detachable sleeves, making it a great transition choice for when the nights start getting colder.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist suggests top probiotic, prebiotic and fibre-rich foods and drinks for happy gut health
Ten movies ripe for remakes, including "It Ends With Us," "Love, Rosie," and "To Kill a Mockingbird," need fresh adaptations with contemporary storytelling, updated casts, and innovative approaches to capture modern audiences' attention.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers QB Jordan Love after lobbed first pitch at Brewers game: 'Next pitch will be better'
Packers QB Jordan Love after lobbed first pitch at Brewers game: 'Next pitch will be better' The ability to throw a football at the professional level doesn't automatically make one good at throwing a baseball, as Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love found out while throwing out the first pitch before the Milwaukee Brewers home game on Memorial Day this week. Love said he didn't give himself any warmup tosses and ended up just throwing the pitch like a football, which turned his thrown into more of a lob than a pitch. The Packers quarterback vowed his next first pitch would be better. "First pitch, it made it there. A little bit of a lob pass. Threw it like a football," Love said after Wednesday's OTA session. "Definitely need to get some more experience throwing a baseball. Get a little warmup next time, and I'll be good. Next pitch will be better." A warmup might have helped -- Love said he got caught up talking with players and Brewers staff before the pitch on Monday, so he ended up on the mound at American Family Field without any prior practice. The throw -- caught by Brewers star Christian Yelich -- ended up slow and high and out of the zone. In fact, Yelich had to get out of his catcher's stance to make the catch. Love admitted it's "been a while" since he's thrown a baseball. He said he stopped playing baseball in middle school. "I'm just happy I got it there, didn't skip it," Love said. Here's the pitch from American Family Field: While the throwing mechanics for football and baseball are similar, pitching a baseball typically requires a bigger stride and longer arm path. As the video shows, Love took a short stride, threw the ball completely over the top and released early, resulting in a slow, lobbed pitch. But like Love said, at least he didn't skip the throw or completely miss the target. At the end of the day, the ball ended up in the catcher's glove. Disaster averted for the Packers quarterback. We'll give this first pitch a 3/10, but it ranks nowhere near the worst of all time. Hopefully, Love gets another chance -- at a Brewers game as the Packers quarterback -- to make amends.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Lovely Abella's husband Benj Manalo undergoes ACL surgery
Lovely Abella revealed that her husband Benj Manalo has undergone surgery for his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). On Instagram, the 'Hello, Love, Again' actress shared a photo of herself beside Benj, who was lying in a hospital bed, along with an update on his condition. 'Sa panahon ngayon, mapamasaya o mahirap na challenge sa buhay, nagpapasalamat kami kay Lord kasi hindi niya ibibigay kung wala kami matututunan at heto 'yung panahon na mas lalong magiging deeper pa ang faith namin sa [Kaniya]' Lovely wrote. 'Thank you sa lahat ng prayers ninyo nasa recovery area na ang asawa ko,' she added. According to the actress and comedienne, Benj had to rush his operation because he wanted to heal quickly so he could dance with their daughter on her 18th birthday. Lovely expressed how proud she is of her husband and assured him of her unwavering support as he recovers. 'Excited kami sa mga travels at fitness journey natin,' she added. Lovely also shared via Instagram Stories clips and photos of Benj after his operation. In one of the videos, he can be seen walking slowly with his bandaged left leg while a health professional watched over him. Meanwhile, on Instagram Stories, Benj shared that he's now doing well and can move his leg without any pain. 'God keeps His promises. I can testify to that. Grabe ka lang Lord. You said to me before surgery everything will be OK and now everything is OK,' he wrote in the caption. '90 [degree] range, walking without crutches, no pain, all faith. Thank you Lord,' Benj added. Lovely and Benj tied the knot in 2021, with Benj also proposing to Lovely's daughter, Crisha. Their first child, Liam, was born in 2023. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Facing a suddenly crowded Packers WR room, Jayden Reed says report created ‘different perception' about his attitude
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jayden Reed wanted to clear the air. The Green Bay Packers' 2023 second-round receiver knew ESPN had reported this month that his agent met with his general manager. He knew also that the report came mere weeks after the Packers selected two receivers in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. But Reed said Wednesday after the Packers' OTA practice that his agent's intention in reaching out to Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst was misconstrued. 'I hired a new agent and we talked about it before even the draft,' Reed said of his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. 'He said he was going to talk to the front office and everybody here to just catch up and make sure everybody's on the same page, as a new client. 'I don't know how it got out, because it was supposed to be confidential. That's how it goes sometimes — people get a different perception.' Packers WR Jayden Reed clarifies why his agent Drew Rosenhaus met with GM Brian Gutekunst after team drafted 2 WRs: — Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) May 28, 2025 ESPN reported May 12 that Rosenhaus and Gutekunst met to 'clarify the wide receiver's status' after Green Bay drafted receivers Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday he 'didn't even know about' the conversation beyond seeing the report and, 'I haven't had a conversation about it.' Golden and Williams join a crowded room that includes Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in addition to Christian Watson, who is expected to miss the beginning of the season while recovering from a Week 18 ACL tear. Reed led Packers receivers last year with 857 yards and six touchdowns as Green Bay shifted to a heavier run emphasis. The Packers rushed 526 times in 2024 while passing 479 times, a year after Jordan Love's debut campaign as a starting QB featured 441 carries amid and 581 passes. The run emphasis highlighted free-agent acquisition Josh Jacobs, who rushed 301 times for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Packers improved from the 12th scoring offense and 11th overall offense in 2023 to the eighth and fifth, respectively, in 2024. Their 1-5 division record motivates leaders across the building, but the overall production improved. The run emphasis worked. It also could complicate ball distribution. Love expressed confidence his receivers will handle any complications. 'I always tell guys, 'I'm going to throw it to the guy who's open,'' Love said Wednesday. 'I'm going to try to find the guy who's open. So they all know that. 'Nobody's being sensitive about a number of targets right now.' During a full-squad OTA practice open to media on Wednesday, the receiver room wasn't. Love distributed the ball to his receivers, tight ends and running backs alike in individual and team drills. Receivers expressed camaraderie, from March free-agent pickup Mecole Hardman's individualized handshakes with a slew of new teammates, to Reed guiding Golden on his new playbook and technique standards. 'Definitely just giving me pointers and just being out there, being vocal,' Golden told Yahoo Sports of Reed's help. 'Something like just my alignment or something specific on the play that I need to do. He'll remind me and just tell me just so that I know and it has been helping me. 'I definitely appreciate guys like that that'll help [with] open arms, just give you advice on how to be better.' Golden marks the Packers' first selection of a receiver in the first round in 23 seasons. The rookie played two seasons at Houston before a breakout year at Texas to the tune of 987 yards and nine touchdowns on 58 catches. The Packers' receivers were inconsistent last season, from 33 drops, per Pro Football Reference, to injuries eliminating multiple receivers from a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Reed and Wicks each dropped nine passes, per Pro Football Reference, on 75 and 72 targets respectively. Reed spoke to coaches in his end-of-season meetings about ways to improve. 'Drops was a problem for me last year,' Reed said. 'I've been on a JUGS machine every day this offseason, so obviously that'll help. Just being a better leader, just working on the top of my routes, stuff like that.' Taking advantage of opportunities will be even more crucial if the volume of them decrease amid a talented receiving corps. Reed's goal: Embrace the competition for starting receiver snaps — while also reiterating he cares more about winning than producing. 'As long as at the end of the day we end out on top and we win, that's all that matters,' Reed said. 'I'm a very unselfish person, just how I look at things. I'm a very unselfish person. Whenever anybody fall, I try to be the first person around, pick 'em up. I try to pick players up when they got the head down. 'I'm not the type to care about targets.' He's also not looking to draw out the conversation surrounding his 'status' in the receiver room, he said. 'We have those conversations — we clarify what we need to clarify in-house,' Reed said. 'All that 'wide receiver 1' stuff, I don't look at it as that, man. It's like: We got a lot of different playmakers in the room that can make plays. 'At the end of the day it's about a team coming together and getting the job done and winning.'
