Creature Comforts

Does your baby or child have a a favourite comforter or toy? Have you bought a spare because you can't face the consequences if it is lost?

We had a lovely email from one of our customers this week with a photo of her grandaughter's birthday cake attached. Her mum had made her a fantastic birthday cake shaped just like her favourite toy, her Kathe Kruse giraffe. They have bought several from us as it is an absolute must!

Kathe Kruse make a great range of toys and dolls in Germany, many of which are still made or finished by hand. "The hand follows the heart" was the motto of the founder Kathe Kruse and the company still follows that philosophy today. If you would like a toy your child can really love, you should take a look at Kathe Kruse.

Advent

I am writing this in between Advent assembly at school and popping into town to find items to fill the advent calendars. December does this to me every year. I refuse to think about Christmas too early because I like it to be confined to December, it makes it more exciting as far as I am concerned. However, every year I get caught out with filling the advent calendars. We have 3 children and they each have a fabric advent calendar with 25 pockets....that makes 75 little pressies that need to be thought of (the hard part) and then bought/made and wrapped. All this while the usual Christmas chaos and excitement ensues. Christmas plays, Christmas baking, Christmas concerts, Carol services, social gatherings, writing cards, baking, shopping, wrapping, Christmas decs, Christmas Tree....the list goes on, the excitement builds!

Luckily for me, I discovered that Dorchester Chocolates make the most beautiful Christmas Chocolate 'slims' which are gorgeously wrapped and fit beautifully into the pockets on the advent calendars, so that cuts my work in half as they have these on alternate days. I usually fill the rest with stickers, pencils, hair slides etc. It is a lovely part of the countdown to Christmas that we all enjoy!

Baby's First Christmas Part Two!

So if it is your baby's first Christmas and they are approaching 6 months what would the ideal gift be?

The second 6 months of your baby's life are a period of rapid growth. During this time they will almost certainly begin moving around the room independently and may even be walking. Hand eye co-ordination improves as does dexterity so holding toys becomes easier and bashing them together becomes a favourite pastime! During this period your baby will also begin babbling and will enjoy 'talking' to you.

Ideal toys for this stage include:

• stacking toys - enjoy piling them up and watch them fall, then do it all again!

• moving toys - now your baby can move he will enjoy chasing toys!

• push along brick trucks/trolleys to help support them while they learn to walk

• soft toys for cuddling and comfort

• it is never to early to read to your baby. Keep stories simple and repetitive.

Look for toys that have development potential so that they will retain your child's interest as they grow, that way you get better value for money. For example, a shape sorter can be used for grabbing, passing, feeling initially, then used to problem solve (why won't the cube fit in the round hole?) then used to develop counting, colour and shape recognition.

Above all, don't buy too many toys, keep it simple. A few wisely chosen good quality toys will last years and take up far less space. Sometimes, to much choice can be overwhelming and put them off.

Enjoy your baby' first Christmas!

Baby's First Christmas

Your baby's first Christmas is such an exciting time. We are always talking to families who say that Christmas is somehow more 'special' with children around. I guess we re-live all the excitement of our own childhood through our children. Of course your baby is probably not going to notice if they do not receive any gifts on their first Christmas Day, however, in our experience there are not many parents (or Grandparents!) out there who can resist.

So what toys are right for your baby's developmental age and stage? I found this great article on The Baby Centre website which explains bit about how they develop and what they will benefit from over the first 6 months.

In a nutshell:

• your baby's first 6 months is a period of very rapid development

• most babies have good hearing from birth

• a newborn baby has fuzzy vision and can only see objects up to 20-30 cm away

• new babies have a strong grasp but will only start to use this from around 3 months

• from around 5 months, everything goes in the mouth. Babies use the high concentration of nerve endings in their tongue to explore objects.

• from around 6 months your baby will begin to sit up and this opens up a whole new world of play!

First toys for babies seem to fall into 2 categories. Comforting or stimulating. The comforting toys are the ones they use to calm and soothe themselves when tired or anxious. If you sleep with a comforter for a few nights before giving it to your baby they will smell you on it and are more likely to feel soothed by it. Anything with a bit of fabric, maybe some knots for chewing/sucking on as they get older and possibly a silky ribbon or tag for rubbing.

The stimulating toys are the ones they want to play with when they are awake and content. Look out for sounds (they will hear before they see clearly) high contrast patterns and colours (black and white for very young babies and bright colours a bit later). Dangling toys that will give movement will encourage your baby to watch and eventually reach and grasp. Anything with a variety of textures will stimulate the senses, soft, scrunchy rough, smooth etc.

Of course, toys do not have to be of the bought and packaged variety. There are many things your baby will love to play with that were not specifically designed for the purpose. Natural wood can be fascinating and has a smell and texture that baby's will find fascinating. Stimulating sounds can be made using rice or beans sealed in a container or scrunchy empty packets. However, please keep safety in mind. Check for loose parts, anything that could get wrapped around necks or limbs (ties, ribbons, elastic) and check paint content.

Above all, enjoy playing with your baby!

Children in Need

Today the BBC are holding their annual Children in Need appeal. It is a reminder to me how lucky I am, and how lucky my children are. It makes me feel humble and grateful in equal measures for everything in my life. It is a great cause, raising money to help children who may not be so lucky. The one thing most of our friends, colleagues and customers at heybaby* have in common is children.

I know times are tough for lots of people at the moment but take some time to count your blessings and if you can go without one small luxury this week, give the money to Children in Need instead. I know its a cliche but if we all do a little bit....

How many buggies?!

Are you in the market for a buggy or pushchair? Are you a first time parent or are you looking for a subsequent child? Or, just because you fancy a change?!

It astounds me how many expectant parents come to the shop looking at buggies and during the conversation it emerges they are expecting their 3rd child and buying their 5th buggy! I guess none of us know what the future holds as we shop for our first and we could be forgiven for making a bad choice once, but a string of them? Really?

Part of the problem is that mums with bumps do find it hard to see beyond the first 6 months. I can't say I blame them. A newborn baby is so precious and vulnerable and it's needs are very different to a (no less precious) 2 year old's. Yet we want a buggy that will do both with comfort and ease, and preferably 3 times over.

So what were your priorities when you bought your first buggy? With hindsight, did you make a good choice? And, be honest, how many buggies have you bought so far?! We'd love to know...

Lunchboxes

A friend of mine posted on Facebook recently that she wanted to put making the kids' lunchboxes into Room 101! I chuckled, firstly because I had forgotten about Room 101 and how much we used to enjoy watching it, and secondly because lunchbox making in our house is not a favourite part of the day.

I get really stuck with what to put in them, knowing if I try anything too adventurous it may come back uneaten (and they will be hungry) but if I keep giving them the same things, eventually they get bored and refuse to eat it anymore.

Combine this with our drive to reduce our reliance on plastic and packaging and 3 lunchboxes = hard work! We have, after some trial and error, got the packaging sorted. We bought some fabulous LunchBots lunch boxes, some of which have inbuilt dividers meaning that often no wrapping at all is required. If some wrap is needed, we use either greaseproof paper or a small paper bag. This has been successful and we no longer use cling film at all. My next step is to invest in washable sandwich wrap and food bags. The LunchBots then go in an insulated Zoo Lunchie (for the younger ones) or straight in a ruck sack (too cool for a lunch bag at 12!) The kids all have a Klean Kanteen for their water, so no waste there either.

Our main problem is the 'sandwich' part of the lunchbox. We have tried them all...wraps, muffins, bagels, crackers but our eldest has started taking one bite and leaving the remainder, then eating the fruit, yogurt and chocolate biscuit. After several warnings he is now on a 'sandwich and fruit only' lunch regime until he starts eating the sandwiches again.

Lunchbox ideas we have tried with success include:

• pasta, they all like this but get bored if they have it too often and it wipes out pasta as an option for dinner!

• soup, well received in Winter but not too often or they start to moan

• mini quiches, love them occasionally, lots of work, not a quick fix!

• veggies and dips/hoummus, well received but not that filling

If anyone has any good ideas not mentioned above please let me know, my husband (who nearly always makes the lunch boxes) will be most grateful!!

Inline or side-by-side?

I had an in depth discussion with a customer on the phone today. She was looking for a new buggy for her two children aged 8 months and 2 and a half years.

She phoned initially to discuss the pros and cons of the Mountain Buggy +one and the Phil&Teds Explorer. We talked over the configurations, the foot room, the view (for the kids and the 'driver') and the single buggy that is left when the eldest child no longer requires it's services.

The caller then informed me that really she would prefer a side-by-side double, (she was worried her toddler would pull it's younger sibling's hair!) but as she lives in London and has trouble getting through some doorways with her Bugaboo Cameleon, this was not an option. I introduced her to the Mountain Buggy Duet, we did a few width comparisons, and she was amazed!

The upshot was that she called me back 5 mins later and ordered a Duet. It is on its way to her and I am looking forward to hearing her experiences of using it in London.

We would love to know if you have experience of using a double buggy, whether you opted for an inline or side-by-side version and whether you were happy with your choice? It is always good to get as much feedback as possible so that we can use this to inform our customers when we are asked. Much appreciated!

Get out of town!

I am often asked if I would consider moving the shop (currently run from Poundbury, a development about a mile out of town) into the town centre. The truth is that when I started looking for a premises, 10 years ago, I started my search in the town centre. After months of looking and not being able to find the right place, I was persuaded to look in the relatively new development of Poundbury.

I was almost immediately convinced that this was a better option for my business. Being a baby shop, access and level floors were really important. In town this is hard to find as a lot of the retail spaces are in very old buildings. I also needed to consider the lease, and being a new business I was nervous about committing to a long term. My landlords were flexible on this and made it relatively easy for me to get up and running.

We have been in our current location for 10 years now and we are very happy with it. There is free parking right outside, the roads are not too busy so families do not need to worry about crossing roads etc. There are a choice of nice cafes, several play areas and lots of community events (including a Friday morning toddler group) run from the Brownsword Hall right opposite.

Best of all, we are in good company! There are now a multitude of businesses running from Poundbury, ranging from an award winning florist, several gift shops, a couple of ladies clothes shops and a great garden centre to a chocolate factory (yes a real one!) and the mighty Dorset Cereals. We will soon have our own Little Waitrose too....handy for milk on the way home!

If you fancy doing your Christmas shopping somewhere a little more relaxed, take a trip to Poundbury, grab yourself a Poundbury Business Map and spend a day exploring.

Stocking fillers that won't cost the earth

I have to admit that my attention has started to turn towards Christmas, mainly because there is so much to think about!

Our kids love their stockings but it is a challenge every year to think of exciting things to fill them with. It is so easy to go to the nearest toy shop (or even supermarket) and fill them with short attention span, plastic trinkets that may get played with for a minute and then litter bedroom floors until they are put in the bin.

I am trying hard to avoid the easy option. It is not that I am a killjoy, I want my kids to have as much fun and pleasure when they empty their stockings as all their friends. I just can't justify spending money on plastic 'rubbish' that soon literally becomes rubbish.

I will be sticking with a few wooden toys that can be passed on and re-used when we have had our fun. They will, of course, get some edible treats and the usual shower/bath stuff. It is also a good time to stock up on things that they will need throughout the year but will have fun opening!

I have had a few other ideas that should give us all some pleasure:

• small packets of seeds either flowers or edible plants

• bubble mixture

• play doh (bought or home made)

• crayons, pencils, erasers, glue, glitter, paper...anything creative!

• face paints

• 'sprinkles' for decorating biscuits/cakes when baking, cup cake cases

• small books

If you have older kids, some of the above might not be appropriate. But how about:

• voucher for cinema or a 'movie' night at home (invite friend, make popcorn!)

• hair bands/clips

• first screwdriver, spirit level, hammer, nails, sandpaper to start a tool box

• coloured pencils, sketch book

• yarn, knitting needles, basic pattern

• first sewing kit

Let us know if you have any ideas to add, we could always do with more!

Fair fairies!

Hands up who as a little girl who loves to dress up?

Our daughter requests a party dress on a daily basis, the pinker and prettier the better. When I saw that the clever people at Piccalilly were producing a range of fairy dresses and tutus I was really pleased (I have not shown my daughter yet!) Not only are they gorgeous, they are ethically made on a Fair Trade project in Bali.

So now you can really enjoy your little flower fairy, with a clear conscience!

Happy customer!

I met a lovely family in the shop this week. A mum came in with her 2 children aged 17 months and 8 weeks. She called in for a demo of the Kari Me baby carrier as she thought it would be useful to have some hands free time to spend with her eldest.

I showed her how to do the basic front knot carry using our weighted demo doll, then I had a lovely cuddle with her little one while she practised with the doll. Once she was confident, she was able to try the Kari Me with her own baby. In between, I had fun playing with the 17 month old, reading stories and building towers.

She bought the Kari Me and I really felt like I had helped her. It reminded me why I love working in the shop so much!

Christmas is coming (like it or not!!)

At heybaby* we are having our usual debate about when we should put up the decorations in the shop.

I usually insist on waiting until 1st December because I believe that Christmas should be confined to the festive season and if they go up too early it kind of detracts from the magic. I also don't believe that Christmas should be led or dominated by the retail sector, but appreciate that buying and giving gifts is a big part of the celebrations for most families.

However, there is no denying that our customers thoughts have turned to Christmas, and I wonder whether they would actually like to see the decorations up and the lights twinkling to help them feel festive?

We would love to hear your thoughts on this subject...get in touch!