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.

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).

Go Skip Hop

It's not always the first item on your mind when you're busy scouting for pushchairs or prams, nursery items and baby clothes, but a sturdy diaper bag is one of the most essential purchases for any new parent. Being a mama essentially means becoming a bag lady as you have to tote an unimaginable amount of baby gear around whenever you step out.

US-based Skip Hop is one of the most popular brands for the new breed of baby changing bags that couple style with functionality. The Skip Hop Dash is a messenger-style bag that you can easily sling over the handle bars of your stroller or attach with its unique strap and fastening system. The bag contains eleven deep pockets to provide space for everything from nappies and wipes to bottles and snacks. It comes in a range of colours like our fave stripe design that has unisex appeal or even camouflage print for the more macho papa. Check out the Skip Hop web site for a list of stockists worldwide.

Mamalingual Dictionary: Daddyproofing

Daddyproofing (verb) 1. a new mother taking sometimes extreme measures to ensure her child is safe and secure while in his daddy's care (origin BNM 2007)

Hands up: have you ever watched your baby daddy with your joint progeny and thought ‘what the hell is he doing to my precious child?’ Do you sometimes shudder to imagine what they get up to when you’re not around? Papa may be the Shiniest of New Dads, having attended every antenatal class and now handling diaper duty and night shifts without batting an eyelid. And yet the first time you leave baby alone in his care you might be fighting the urge to put safety locks on your pride and joy.

The daddy of all dads Dr. Sears explains in this CNN article how fathers have their own parenting styles which are meant to complement (sometimes improve on) our own. But even the most laidback mama (or stay-at-home-dad) is a potential micromanager when it comes to her favourite project. We’re so caught up in the personal responsibility/power trip of being primary caregivers that it can be hard for us to let go and let daddy do his thing. In the early days watching my husband casually lobbing Mr. Cheeks into the air, or even now when he gives him Pringles for breakfast, my daddyproofing instinct kicks in. Stop! I want to yell. You'll destroy everything I've worked for! But instead I get a grip, count to ten, inhale and exhale. Daddy and baby are doing just fine. And mama’s taking a breather.

Pic via Canadian Family