Thousands helped by Ilkley mum Jess’s tot website (From Ilkley Gazette)

Thousands helped by Ilkley mum Jess’s tot website

7:00pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Local news By Claire Lomax

Ilkley Moor’s only pregnancy, baby and toddler website is celebrating its fourth birthday this month.

In that time, MoorMums.co.uk has offered support to thousands of parents and carers of young children.

The website was created by Ilkley mum Jess Robinson when her first son was just a few months old.

“I found the transition from working full time as a treasury accountant to being at home with a newborn really hard,” said Jess.

“Toddler groups, baby classes, sleep routines, nappies – it was all new to me and so I turned to the internet for help.

“I found relevant, up-to-date, and more importantly local information was in short supply. The national websites just seemed to cover Leeds or Bradford and I wasn’t about to travel to the other side of Leeds with a newborn.

“So, with a lot of help from my other half who happens to run an IT business and my new-found ‘mummy-buddies’, I set up MoorMums.”

The website was first aimed at parents and carers of new babies but now covers anything to do with pregnancy and any activity for children up to school age.

There are even plans to extend the website to primary school children in September.

All information listed relates to activities of interest to those living in and around Ilkley Moor, from Addingham, through Ilkley, Burley, Otley, Guiseley, Yeadon, Baildon, right through to East Morton and Silsden.

The website also has useful information from advice about teething or bottle feeding, to information about local farms, play centres and playgrounds.

It even has a large section about local baby-friendly cafes, recommended by parents.

“Recommendations from parents are what really make the website,” said Jess, now mum to three boys. “If you are going to make the effort of getting out of the house with small children, you need to know it is going to be worth it.”

With around 6,000 visitors each month, MoorMums has grown to be incredibly popular locally.

Jess added: “The website’s popularity has been driven by the help I get from parents and businesses. I am really grateful to all the parents who email (contactus@moor mums.co.uk) with reviews of cafes or activities.

“Others write special features about real nappies or bottle-feeding. Local baby-businesses support the website too by keeping us updated when their details change and through advertising with us. This helps cover the website running costs.”