Baby Gear In Store Now

Tommee Tippee teether soft toy, $13.62 at Woolworths. I love this toy, it has a good grip on it, and the handle ring actually allows you to slip the ring through babie's seatbelt or pram strap so the toy can be played with but not lost on an outing. The head of the cow is a rattle, the feet (in the shape of love hearts) have crackle fabric, and the hands are designed especially for relief (or at least stimulation) during teething. There are a number of similar toys in different colours and animals, but this daisy cow was my fave and will suit boys or girls.


These padders are just the cutest things, padders are pre-shoes, not quite booties and not yet shoes, they are soft and as the name implies have a padded sole. They say 'cheeky' and then there is a monkey applique, implying your little one is a 'cheeky monkey'. I bought these for $7.32 in Woolworths.






This Elmo jumper (size 00 and up) is one of my favourite baby items right now. Not only is he such a lovable character, the jumper is so bright, very engaging for the baby, the quality of the stitching is very good, and it will really keep bub warm this winter. I bought this one for $14.88 at Big W.






The best time to buy baby toys and clothes are during special department sales in stores, and when promotional baby catalogues for stores such as Big W, Target, and Kmart are circulated. Each change of season there are quite good sales allowing you to buy newborn clothes ahead of the change in temperature and weather.

Patterned cot sheets are my best tip for baby linens, as they tend to disguise stains, as do patterned sleepwear and onesies.

Although printed fabric bibs look gorgeous they are really quite useless as they don't protect clothes underneath from food spills, and don't catch any falling debris. You can't beat the vinyl or plastic bibs with the catch me reservoirs at the bottom.

A small tuppaware container with bicarb soda in it is a handbag or diaper bag must have, you simply sprinkle on your clothes when the baby spits up on you and you won't smell terrible.

Well this brings my baby news and tips to an end for now, I hope you enjoy the little ones in your life,
Love Starry

Gifts For Parents-To-Be

There are many precious gifts you can give those awaiting the arrival of a baby. Anything you can make from the heart - baby beanies, bonnets, booties, shawls, layettes, nappy stackers, bibs, quilts, mobiles, toys, journals and scrapbooks - are all wonderful. Make sure the parent knows the safety ins and outs, from what age can the baby safely wear/play with your gift?

I happen to think the most outstanding gift you can give parents to be, is a senior first aid course/seminar, you pay for it and they attend. It could mean they save their own child's life one day. Babies and children can so easily choke, drown, ingest toxins, etc, don't alarm the parent to be unduly, just encourage them to gain the knowledge we all hope they never need.

Another excellent gift is a nappy service subscription. It is a great way to encourage the environmentally and baby bottom friendly thing, without chaining mum to the never ending chore of washing dirty cloth nappies. Just think how much more enjoyable the early days and weeks with baby will be when the parents have more time to rest and play. If you can't absorb the cost of a service by yourself it is worth pooling for a baby shower gift.

Digital cameras, movie cameras, and coupons for printing, hampers of camera paper, printer cartridges, blank dvd and cd discs are all going to be wonderful to have on hand for all the precious moments ahead.

Child proofing professional services are also a good idea, they can foresee and prevent many dangers in the home and provide the equipment to childproof the house.

In the near future I will be posting an idea I got from a friend, called Mother Blessing, as a variation on a Baby Shower, it is such a beautiful idea I can't wait to sheare with you. I hope these ideas help for now, they are costlier than my usual idea but I see them as being very important, so I hope you give them some thought, I know you will. XxX Starry.