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In General, Guest Posts

Claire Dunford Speaks… Social Media and Bloggers… ROCK!

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on 1 Comment

The lovely Claire Dunford is a Social Media Consultant for BOTTLE, and blogs professionally at BOTTLE Uncorked and personally at Scratching That Creative Itch.  When she’s not working on social media campaigns or performing in local theatre productions, she’s often to be found nattering away on Twitter at @rainbowclaire and @BOTTLE_PR. Personally I think she is a little crazy, but in the best kind of way! Enjoy her post! Nicki x

When I was first asked to guest blog for Curly&Candid I had planned to pull together  a piece on the “Day In the Life of a PR.”   But when I was chatting with my friends after a hard week in the office I realized that listening to other people natter about their working day was actually just really dull.

You know the feeling.  Try as you might your interest slips, your mind wanders and slowly you start tuning out…

When I tell people that I’m a Social Media Consultant, their eyes light up.  Within seconds I’m bombarded with “Wow, you mean you actually get paid to be on Facebook,” or “So you can help me understand Twitter,” often followed by “I wish I had your job.”  But I know that if I went into the details of the competitions that I get to create or the profiles that I manage their shining eyes would start to glaze over.  No matter how interesting your job may seem to others, if you live and breathe a role 9 to 5, five days a week when you start talking about it, it won’t be long before you get bogged down in the details.

I’m so lucky I’m part of a really energetic and vibrant team at BOTTLE, but the very best thing about my job are the relationships that I get to build outside of the office.  I’m encouraged to read blogs, chat on Twitter and build relationships throughout the social web and to me that’s fantastic.  No matter how stressful my day has been , through blogging, I can always plunge head first into someone else’s life – laugh at their adventures, extend my sympathy during troubled times, or get involved in an active debate.

And to me that’s what really social media is all about.  It’s not about Klout scores or Wikio rankings (although those shiny badges are lovely), relationships are not something that can simply be boiled down into a statistic – although with my professional hat on they are fantastic for reporting back to clients.

Ultimately ‘interaction’ and ‘engagement’ are just the tip of tip of the iceberg.  The reason blogging is so great is that it allows everyday people a voice, you don’t need to be a trained journalist to write with passion and I’d no sooner instruct someone on how to fill in their diary than dictate what a blogger should write, or how they write it.

So I’d like to say thank you to all the bloggers that brighten my days.  Everyone is an individual, with a diverse range of blogs and styles – which is something to whole-heartedly celebrate.

 

In Guest Posts

10 Reasons NEVER to Use BPA Feeding Bottles – The Facts

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on 2 Comments

This post was written as a guest post by Mums Mall – an online shopping comparison mall dedicated to helping mums get the best deals online when shopping for baby/maternity products, toys and children’s clothing. I find it particularly interesting! I know that BPA is “bad” and in most places banned, but the reasons behind it all had passed me by!  You can also find MumsMall on Facebook and say hello on Twitter, they are so down to earth and easy to chat with!

Nicki x

Most parents have heard about the chemical BPA, or Bisphenol A, in news headlines recently. The most controversial use of this chemical is in the manufacturing of baby bottles. Since your baby’s health and wellbeing is of utmost importance to you, it is vital that you have all the facts regarding the use of BPA in baby bottles. The following information is designed to provide you with these facts so that you can continue protecting your baby’s health.

What is BPA?

BPA is a chemical used in making polycarbonate plastic. This type of plastic is used for a multitude of household products, including plastic baby bottles and toddler sippy cups. There is generally no harm that comes from using this type of plastic in household items such as laundry baskets, trash cans and other products that do not come into contact with food. However, research shows that when this chemical is present in plastic items that are typically heated, such as baby bottles and food storage containers, it can leach into the food itself. This can cause various problems within the person consuming the food. High levels of the chemical are thought to cause problems with brain development. Infants stand to suffer the most harm from the chemical since they are small and are not able to effectively remove it from their bodies.

Ten Reasons to Avoid BPA Bottles

  1. For concerned parents, much information exists regarding the potential harm that can result from the presence of BPA in baby bottles. The following list provides ten reasons why parents should always avoid purchasing bottles that contain this chemical.BPA has been linked to inhibiting brain development, an especially harmful scenario in children
  2. BPA is associated with hyperactivity and related disorders in childhood
  3. Evidence links BPA to a higher risk of breast cancer and heart disease in adulthood
  4. BPA has been associated with fertility problems once a child grows into adulthood
  5. Some evidence suggests that BPA can increase a person’s risk of various types of cancer
  6. Exposure to even low amounts of the chemical can cause behavioural disorders and impairment of brain functioning
  7. We lack sufficient studies to show whether or not the chemical could cause additional diseases or disorders
  8. The use of BPA in baby bottles has been banned in some countries due to evidence of harm
  9. BPA free bottles are readily available and cost about the same as their potentially dangerous counterparts
  10. Buying BPA free bottles can help parents have the peace of mind that they’re providing safe feeding materials for their children

How You Can Lessen BPA Exposure

BPA is not avoidable in all household items, but a person’s exposure can be lessened by following a few essential tips. Parents who are concerned about the presence of BPA in baby bottles should purchase ones that are labelled as being BPA free. If you are not able to find BPA free bottles in your area, simply purchase baby bottles made of glass instead. Additionally, parents should ensure that the bottles do not become overheated, as this will cause more of the chemical to leach into the milk if it is indeed present in the bottle. Always avoid pouring boiling liquids into a plastic baby bottle. Parents can also reduce the risk associated with BPA exposure by replacing baby bottles frequently, especially if they become cloudy, scratched or discoloured in any way. Finally, avoid leaving baby bottles in direct sunlight or a hot car as this will also cause the plastic to become overheated.

With the information that exists regarding the potential dangers of BPA in baby bottles, it makes sense to avoid it or to drastically limit any exposure to it. This is especially important for infants and toddlers, who are still experiencing rapid brain development all throughout the childhood years. While many bottle manufacturers are working hard to remove BPA from their products, it is important to note that many different brands containing BPA are still sold in stores and online venues. If this is a concern to you as a parent, it is vital that you actively search out BPA free bottles, read product labels closely or simply choose glass bottles instead of plastic versions. While it may take more effort on your part to find and purchase BPA free feeding products, you will feel great knowing you are providing your child with the best possible start in life.

 

 

 

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