Smooth as silk

Still on a last-minute hunt for that perfect top to see you through the party season? Step (or click) on over to Mamas & Papas where their maternity range currently has some great discounts.

At half the regular price, this luxurious Silk Tie Tunic will skim and drape your figure to flattering form. It has an adjustable tie under the bust and can be jazzed up with jewellery and accessories for a different look each time. We particularly like the tunic paired with these stylish blue tights as pictured.

Visit Mamas & Papas for more festive offers.

V&A muse

This week on Hype Baby, we've been extolling the virtues of museum shops as a great place to find unusual gifts. One of my favourite online stores is the V&A museum web shop, a virtual treasure trove of design goodies.


This Deco Bloom Silk Top, inspired by a book plate design for textiles, utters 'hip mama' with its simple wrap/tie style, luxurious colours and gorgeous embroidery. It's the kind of blouse that can adjust to fit your bump, then gracefully skim your frame when baby's out and about.


Or if you're feeling too heavy to invest in new clothing, check out their fashion accessories such as this vintage-look Feather Flower Headband by Ophelie. Handmade using dyed feathers, it's sure to get heads swerving in your direction come party season. Visit the V&A shop for more stylish ideas.

Prints charming

Our little Buddha turned 9 months old earlier this week and suddenly it seems like he's hurtling towards his first birthday. One of the things I plan to do (that I never got around to with Cheeky baby number 1) is preserving his teeny tiny handprints in clay.

There are all sorts of specialised services to carry this out, but we like this Hand or Footprint Imprint Tin from MamaToto. All you need to do is open the container, press baby's hand or foot into the soft clay and when you're happy with the imprint, leave it to harden. This makes a great gift for a new parent or (note to hubby) a nice stocking filler for yourself come Christmas. Visit MamaToto for more products geared to brand new mamas.

Babble on to CURE cancer

We've gabbled about Babble babywear, the line of funky tot suits featuring cute quips and graphics on our sister blog Hype Baby.

Now we want to let you know about a new plan from the generous Babble babywear team. In an effort to help fund research to find a cure for cancer, Babble babywear are donating $1 from the sale of every onesie to CURE Childhood Cancer.

Simply enter coupon code BABBLECCC at checkout and you'll know that even after your bubba grows out of his babygro, your money was put to good use. Check out the collection at Babble babywear.

Pat a cake

While running errands with my weary babies in West Hampstead, I happened to pass by this delicious looking cake shop and couldn't resist popping in for afternoon tea.

What a treat. We were greeted so warmly by the ladies behind the counter who went to some trouble to squeeze us into what is admittedly a smallish space if you're buggy-ing out. I indulged in a Victoria sponge slice while Mr. Cheeks had a marshmallow-topped cupcake and both were just the right mix of fluffy and sugary. The owner was preparing for a birthday party at the back with a gorgeous spread and I made a note that this would be a great place to hire for events.

Bake-a-boo is definitely a local favourite for mums and little ones, judging by the easy camaraderie between some customers and staff. There's something about the old-school candies, pretty dressing and fresh cakes like your own mama baked that calls you to Bake a Boo. They also cater for sweet tooths who suffer from allergies and intolerances, so there's no excuse not to pile on pounds with the rest of us! Visit the Bake-a-boo web site for a mini-feast for the eyes and other enticements.

Nursing on the Net

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In this age when many new mothers are separated from our extended families, we turn to the global village that connects online to provide that sense of community and support.

The latest innovation that's come our way is the Virtual Breastfeeding Help Consultation, an online guide that helps new mamas figure out what's meant to be a natural process but can cause many sleepless nights, not to mention sore boobs. All you need is Internet access, a webcam and SKYPE to hook up with a lactation consultant that can provide you with a 'Breastfeeding Care plan' in the comfort of your own home.

So if you're struggling with breastfeeding or just want some refresher tips, check out the Virtual Breastfeeding Help web site to book a slot or browse for advice. Through September you'll get a free Baby Bond Couture nursing cover-up (worth $35) with any consultation or gift certificate.

Stay pure

The weather's changing and dare we say it, thoughts of that piggy flu and other seasonal nasties are coming to the forefront. If you're a laidback type of gal, your defence system might come down to regular handwashing and perhaps a bottle or two of anti-bacterial spray.

But if you're a bit of a germophobe, you're probably looking for something a little more proactive to tackle those hidden horrors. You should be impressed by the Purespace Sanitizer, a unit for storing and sanitizing personal items. This clever piece of tech kills 99.9999% of all known viruses and harmful bacteria including those linked to flu, heart disease and diabetes.

The Purespace Sanitizer stores up to 6 manual and electric tootbrushes at a time. It also holds baby bottles, pacifiers, nail scissors, jewellery, razors and other similar tools that could carry and spread germs. For more info including where to buy, visit the Purespace homepage.

Bump and groove

With the Bank Holiday coming up over here, Londoners are either heading away from the Notting Hill Carnival or getting ready to be elbow-deep in the craziness.

If you're insane enough to be pregnant and partying at Europe's biggest street fest, you'll need to be wearing comfy shoes and relaxed clothing. Check out The Maternity Barn for a range of cool, customisable t-shirts that make a statement.

Just pick a style and colour, scroll down the list of slogans like 'Pregnant Not Fat', 'Oops I Did it Again' or 'Funky Mama 09' or even add your own. The most useful message to help you navigate through the crowds is probably 'Hands Off the Bump'.

The Maternity Barn also offers clothing for kids and dads so visit the web site to scope out more styles.

Bags of style

After the untimely demise of my last baby bag, I had to find a way to comfort myself. Recovery has come quickly in the shape of a red hot number by uber-trendy Stork Sak. In fact you could say I've become unreasonably pleased with myself since I started rocking this bag around town.

The only thing that dents my swagger is taking a trip to the Stork Sak web site where I could spend days lusting after their gorgeous range of totes, rucksacks and unisex bags. My new baby is the red version of the Dori Red Label Messenger featuring multiple wipe-clean pockets, thermo-insulated bottle pockets, adjustable shoulder strap and a fold-out padded changing mat. Even cooler is that it doubles as a laptop bag so should provide years of use. I picked one up at Bebe Bisou boutique in west London's Westfield shopping centre but you can snap one up online at Lullabys kids' store. Visit Stork Sak for more styles and stockists.

Bump and swirl

We've featured clothing line Nordic Kids several times on our sister blog Hype Baby as their range of cheeky, cheerful labels are the last word in Scandinavian cool. Mamas-to-be should not hesitate to check out the Maternity section for some funky-fly outfits to make you feel bumpalicious.

I adore this Red Peace Print waistband skirt by Plastisock. The combination of lime green strip and groovy red patterns shouldn't work but somehow it does. Even if you've lost your will to party while preggers, this skirt is guaranteed to make you twirl. Visit Nordic Kids and put a little pep in your step.

A timely gift

Little Big Cheeks is already heading towards his half-year birthday and it seems like forever since I was lugging him around in my belly. I don't exactly miss being pregnant, but I do wish I'd known about My Pregnancy Digi Time Capsule when I was 'with child'.

The fantastic techno keepsake provides a way to capture and store your pregnancy journey, from ultrasound and heartbeat recordings to video messages and photos of your growing bump. On 4GB, you can document the process of decorating your baby's nursery, record baby showers and gift items, even put down timely details about the world leading up to your baby's birth. From gender predictions to old wives' tales, pretty much anything you can think about plus loads of stuff you haven't can be saved on the My Pregnancy Digi Time Capsule.

Available in Signature Silver & Gold or White Leather, this award-winning product makes a truly original gift for any mama-to-be. What's great is that once you pop, you will soon be able to create My Baby Book Digi Time Capsule with equally comprehensive features. Visit the Digi Time Capsule web site for more details and updates.

So fresh and so clean

Having just come back from our recent trips to Africa and France to a post-heatwave, somewhat gloomy London, I thought I'd maintain a little holiday cheer with a few posts about most useful travel products.

When you're abroad, keeping yourself and more importantly your kids clean and fresh can be a challenge when sometimes even the local water is tainted. You might even resort to using your own spit on a handkerchief (even though you remember how much you hated the feel of your mum's saliva on your face as a child).

Enter MomSpit, the ingeniously named no-rinse cleanser for hands and face, for use on anybody aged two and above. With its witty caption 'Inspired by the original', MomSpit serves to freshen up grubby cheeks and paws, easily removing anything from mud and sand to dried food and drink.

It comes in several flavours, such as the delicious Fig & Green Tea, equally yummy Lemon & White Tea or plain and simple Unscented. When there's no soap or sink available, wash up with just a squirt or two of this magic foam. The residue is slightly sticky at first but fades to a softly moisturising feeling that certainly beats the drying out quality of those alcohol hand rubs.

MomSpit comes in a range of dispensers that are small enough to fit in your hand luggage, baby bag or even your clutch. So put your tongue away and pick up a spit kit from these clever mumpreneurs. Trust me, your kids will thank you for it. Visit the MomSpit web site for more details.

What Dad really wants

It's not the first time I've bemoaned the lack of decent maternity lingerie on the high street. Even finding a good fitting nursing bra can be a struggle if you wear a popular size. So I'm happy to send any readers in search of solid yet sexy undergarments along to Ma Mere, a site dedicated to designer lingerie from Australia and around the world.

With Papa's day approaching, the canny mompreneur behind the megastore is offering a special promotion to help keep the home fires burning: buy any 2 sets of Hot Milk undies and receive a free pair of Milkman boxers for your partner. Now that's what we call the gifts that keep on giving. Check out Ma Mere web site for more info.

No whine dining

Breastfeeding is one of motherhood's simplest pleasures. It can also be truly stressful when you're nursing in public and your little one hasn't yet perfected the art of dining al fresco. Cue failed latches, wardrobe malfunctions and misery all round.

Despite having nursed Mr. Cheeks until well into his second year, I've had more than a few unlucky attempts at trying to feed his baby brother while out and about. So I was thrilled to receive a product called the Breastfeeding Butterfly.

Designed by two UK mamas, this is a nursing cover with a twist: instead of a big stiff apron that screams 'look at me, I'm breastfeeding', you get a chic swathe of fabric that you simply tie across your body like a sash. Secure two knots at shoulder and hip, slide your very hungry caterpillar under the 'Butterfly' and it's bombs (or boobs) away.

In theory, that is. I must confess my first outing with the Breastfeeding Butterfly wasn't quite as smooth as the instructional diagram (cloth tied wrong, baby too unsettled).

So I practised at home until we both got comfortable and now the Breastfeeding Butterfly has become one of my baby bag staples. Aside from its portability (each Butterfly comes in its own dinky carry pouch), what I love about this product is that it's light and airy so you don't feel like your little one is suffocating or overheating. Mine comes in discreet black with pretty embroidery but you can snap up Butterflies in a range of gorgeous prints. Visit Faye and Lou's web site for more info.

Pudding in a pouch

One of my baby essentials since having Little Big Cheeks is my Rhubarb & Custard pouch sling. Even though my chunky Bhudda is too heavy for toting around town all day, my sling certainly makes things easier on my arms and back. Plus I always get compliments on its pretty pistachio print.

Cape Town company Rhubarb & Custard is run by a mother of three who's passionate about babywearing. I met Emilia at the Baby Show in October while trying out different carriers over my bump, and what really sold me on her product was not just how easy it was to wear but her enthusiasm and warmth. Each sling not only comes in a wide range of funky fabrics, but also features her contact details for direct feedback or support.

Rhubarb & Custard pouch slings are machine washable, made with 100% cotton lining and are suitable from birth to 18 kgs. Visit the web site for details on these and other products.

Charmed, I'm sure

With Mama's Day just around the corner on the other side of the pond, it's a good time to scope out pressies for new mothers. We're enchanted by the jewellery at Charming Mommy, a Canadian outfit offering tasteful, handmade pieces featuring silver, gold and semi-precious stones. Each bracelet can be personalised with the name of your child, grandchild, mother or simply an inspiring word like 'Love', 'Courage' or 'Survivor'. Designed by the mother of two children with autism, ten percent of proceeds from sales go towards Autism Charities. Check out Charming Mommy's web site for more gift ideas.

Mother's help

Every mother dreads it: the non-stop crying, fussy and gassy phase that's known as colic and can make your bundle of joy turn you into a bag of nerves. Nobody can explain what causes colic exactly but when it happens the first thing you'll want to know is how to make it stop.

The First Years Colic Massage Pad, by Learning Curve, is a natural solution that some parents describe as a godsend. This battery-operated pad uses a circular motion, white noise and soothing vibrations to keep baby on an even keel. Spread it across your lap or over your shoulder and lay your little one on his tummy to help ease and maybe even release some of that gassy pain. The First Years Colic Massage Pad is soft, easily washable, portable and available at Babies R Us. More info at the Learning Curve web site.

Snappy nappy changer

Even though I've already got a deluxe changing bag for my Little Big Cheeks along with a chic and cheerful changing wallet from Mothercare, I was more than happy to receive yet another package on which to park baby's bottom when he needs refreshing.

Gund Baby's Diaper Tote is a fab little bag that folds out to one of the largest and most comfy changing mats I've seen. It features four inner compartments and a back pocket providing plenty of space to carry nappies, wipes, cream and anything else to keep that teenie tushy happy.

The tote is available in pink or blue and has a super-cute elephant, frog and giraffe theme. I'm already imagining carrying it around for summer picnics, fairs or festivals when it's too hot and bothersome to manage a larger hold-all. Our Gund Baby Diaper Tote was snapped up at Wilton and Noble gift store but you can find it at various online retailers including Amazon.

Babe in a basket

Brand New Mama is happy to share that we have a new addition to our family. Little Big Cheeks, as he shall be known on this blog, will be two weeks old tomorrow and is already adapting to Cheeky family life.

One of our favourite gifts for the baby has been a gently-used Moses Basket, originally from ultra-chic store Mamas & Papas. LBC uses it as his day bed in our living room and always has at least two or three hour blocks of sound sleep, even with his toddler brother clattering around him.

All Mamas & Papas Moses Baskets can be coordinated with their stylish interiors collection and each includes a sturdy maize basket with adjustable hood, machine washable bedding and can be fixed on a selection of rocking or stationary stands. The store is currently on sale so visit the web site now to take advantage of their special offers.

Black by popular demand

Even in these credit crunchy times, any woman who has dedicated her body to creating life deserves to treat herself to a little luxury. Designer It bags may no longer be de rigeur, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your 'yummy mummy' arm candy for a dumpy looking baby changing bag.

We're currently lusting after this sleek OiOi Carry All in black patent with leopard print lining. Not only does it scream chic mama but it comes with all the trimmings: padded changing mat, insulated bottle holder, wipes case, messy bag and adjustable strap for wearing over your shoulder or hanging from your pushchair. Get it for a steal at Kiddicare or visit the OiOi web site for more styles.

Yummy mummy

In the hectic days after the birth, every new mother needs a helping hand - especially in the kitchen. When you spend what seems like every waking minute with baby attached to breast or bottle, it can be easy to forget or hard to find a moment to feed yourself.

What you really need is a New Mummy's Yummy Gourmet Box, a fabulous gift idea from Babes with Babies. This consists of 20 hand-made, healthy frozen meals by award-winning company Chef on Board, delivered to your door. The gift box contains two helpings of such tasty dishes as Beef Lasagne, Coq Au Vin, Moussaka and Luxury Fish Pie and contain no artificial additives or strong spices to affect the little one if you're breastfeeding.

Chef on Board can also cater to any special dietary requirements including fare specifically for vegetarians. Get a gourmet box for one of your expecting buddies or just treat yourself by special order from the Babes with Babies web site.

Baby blogging

If you're anything like myself, you probably spent maybe a couple of months of your child's life obsessively recording every little dribble and gurgle. But as time went by, you soon gave up on your baby record book and before you knew it the first year went by in a blur.

Luckily for the cyber-generation, there are a range of web sites out there aimed at people like us who need a cute, plain and hassle-free way of keeping track of our baby's milestones. Keepaboo is a fab online record book that allows you to collect and preserve those treasured memories from the first tooth, to weight and growth charts to those early attempts at speech. You can add pictures and favourite quotes, share with family and friends via email or even on Facebook and in the near future you'll be able to print off a hard copy of your book for posterity. Best of all, it's completely free! Check out Keepaboo to view a sample book and get some inspiration.

Stroll baby stroll

After all that Xmas browsing for the hubby, I'm still in gadget-finding mode. I just stumbled across this fab piece of tech made specifically with new parents in mind.


The Strollometer is basically a pedometer for the pushy set. It's the world's first wireless speedometre designed to fit any pushchair and aimed at encouraging you to make the most out of your daily stroll.

This mini computer calculates everything from your daily mileage and average trip speed to the temperature outside--so you can keep baby perfectly cool or warm while you work up a sweat. The Strollometer makes a great gift and is the perfect accessory for your strollercize workout. Visit the website for a list of online retail partners based in US and Canada (many will ship worldwide).

Soothe a fever

Tis the season of coughs and sniffles and one of the most worrying times for any Brand New Mama. If you've got an infant who's under the weather, you'll want to be certain he has a fever before reaching for the Calpol. But how to get your poorly little wriggler to stay still long enough for that oral, armpit or rectal thermometer to get a precise reading?

Grab yourself one of these nifty Digital Soother Thermometers from Bruin. It looks and feels like a regular pacifier but will glow red when a fever is detected. It can be used in both celsius and fahrenheit and has a memory feature to recall previous readings. Soothing for baby and simple enough for the most sleep-deprived mum, these Bruin Digital Soother Thermometer can be found at Babies R Us stores or online.