Bus boy

Our Mr. Cheeks is a typical boy, in love with all things that go and particularly the iconic London bus. So this adorable hand-knitted Red Bus Hat from Stealing Candy immediately caught my eye.

It's only available in sizes 3-12 months, so sadly His Cheekiness would have to sit back and watch baby bro double-decked out in wintry fashion.

This hat might not stop traffic but it's guaranteed to turn the heads of any toddlers in transit. Visit Stealing Candy for more sweet finds.

Back in Shape

When scouting around for Xmas gifts for the young 'uns, it's easy to feel bombarded by the big name brands and the cookie cutter toys.

One great alternative to major department stores is checking out museum gift shops for something quirky and stylish. We love this brightly-coloured Shape Caterpillar Backpack, by design duo Zoe Miller and David Goodman. The bag is part of a range of kids' accessories to mark the publication of their children's book exploring the concept of shapes.

Pick up the pack on a visit to the Tate Modern with your tots or if you can't face the crowds, swing by their online shop for more gift ideas.

Cute cover-up

As winter creeps in, our thoughts turn to stylish ways to keep our little ones cosy and warm when we're out and about. We've fallen in love with the BabbaCover, a car seat cover that keeps baby wrapped up and protected from wind, snow and in the latest versions, harsh sunlight.

The BabbaCover features windows on front and back for ventilation and easy viewing or access to baby. There are also side pockets to keep your handy bits and an elastic opening up top to allow for a secure grip on your car seat handle. The BabbaCover fits all standard infant car seat carriers and comes in a range of funky-fab designs. We're particularly keen on the 'GQ Guillen' in SnuggleFleece as pictured. Visit the web site for more styles and suppliers.

Hot Seat

When travelling with Mr. Cheeks as a baby, I couldn't have gone anywhere without my Tot Seat portable highchair. This handy wrap keeps baby tied safely to most seats so he can have a little independence and leave you with both hands free.

Now that the Little Big Cheeks is weaning, I keep one in my baby bag but as an avid mummy blogger I'm always on the quest for what's new.

Enter Phil & Ted's Wriggle Wrapper, a genius little contraption that offers the same portability as the Totseat but goes one step further.

Not only does the Wriggle Wrapper secure baby snugly to a chair or around your waist, but you can also tie it to standard single beds for extra peace of mind when your little one's napping.

Phil & Ted's Wriggle Wrapper comes in chic grey or snazzy red, is machine washable and suitable for babies aged 6 to 24 months. Snap one up via the Phil & Ted site or available stockists.

All wrapped up

Although the baby boom is no longer quite as intense as when I was expecting (funny how that happens), I just found out yet another relative is due in a couple of months. Always an excuse to hunt for new baby gifts.


I've fallen in love with the soft throws, wraps and nursery bedding by the Atlantic Blankets company. I'm particularly swayed by these Moss/Salmon striped blankies made in Ireland. These 100% lambswool babywraps are just designed for snuggling a newborn and will make both new mama and little bundle very happy indeed. Find your own perfect style at the Atlantic Blankets web site.

Just frontin'

Now that the little big boy is starting out on solids, our thoughts have turned to getting him some stylish feeding gear. I'm charmed by this funky Island Stripe bib by Babylicious. With its wipe-clean surface, catch-all front pocket and Velcro closure, this plastic protector provides an easy way to inject a little attitude into chow time. Best of all, it's on sale now at Style Kid. Check out more discount offers at their web site.

Special Offer: Direct to your living room

Becoming a new parent means revamping your home - whether you're painting the nursery walls or watching your baby redecorate the kitchen floor with his porridge. And once you've got a new addition, you soon find pretty much every room becomes the 'baby room'.

Before you go spare trying to figure out what shade of sofa will match the little one's toybox, take a trip to Living Rooms Direct. This online superstore offers a broad range of living room furniture and accessories to spruce up your main hanging out area - from cosy family-size sofas to funky magazine racks for stacking all those baby catalogues.

Living Rooms Direct are offering one lucky Hype Baby reader $30 towards any item on the site. New mamas and papas might dig this gorgeous notNeutral Wood Block set featuring letters, numbers and images that can be combined to create 3D stories.

To win this $30 voucher, simply email Hype Baby with your name and address and a message of 15 words or less on how your little bubba has transformed your living space. The winner will be notified by email and get a special mention on the blog.

**Update: This competition is now closed.

Bathing beauty

If you've ever tried to persuade a terrified toddler that showering for the first time in a strange hotel can be fun, you'll definitely appreciate this slick piece of baby gear. The Bibabath is a portable bath - sort of like a hammock - that lets you transform almost any type of shower into a fun, hygienic bath for kids.


Ideal for bathrooms with no space for a tub, the Bibabath is quick to install and made of non-slip material that's washable at 60° C. It features a drainage outlet that can be attached to the shower drain and when not in use, the bath can be folded flat against the wall. It can also be used outdoors as a mini splash pool. And at just 3kg, it weighs less than your average travel cot so comes in handy when you're off on holiday. Get more info at the Bibabath web site.

Bootie-licious

Snow season's over but it's all about style with these rocking Baby Chestnut Crossbone Skull booties by Las Vegas line Penelope Wildberry. Those teeny toes will feel oh-so-cosy wrapped up in sheepskin boots that look a bit like baby Uggs, but with attitude. Snap them up via the Gift Library and let everyone know your kid's a real wild child.

Baby it's cold outside

In these chilly conditions, all I can think about is snuggling down with the little one. And I can't envision wrapping up in anything much more comfortable and stylish than a Quilt Baby blanket.


This indie design company run by a mama of two boys makes modern, chic textiles and accessories for babies, including bedding, clothing, bibs and burp cloths. You'll find gorgeous reversible cotton quilts in unique prints that make fabulous heirloom gifts. Even order a pillow to match for when your bubba's old enough to appreciate throw cushions. Check out more Quilt Baby designs on their web site or at their Etsy store.

Bugging out

How ridiculously snug does this baby look swaddled in his Bug in a Rug? These multipurpose baby wraps designed in Australia and distributed in the UK by Baby Rug are ideal for being out and about. They allow babies to be carried in and out of all 5 point harness and carry pouches without having to unwrap and rewrap them.

What's more, they come in multiple colours and a variety of fabrics -- from water resistant or polar fleece for wet, wintry weather to lightweight cotton and waffle for the warmer months. Bug in a Rug baby wraps are safe and simple to use and the cute factor is off the scale. I first spotted these at London's Baby Show but you can find out more at the Baby Rug web site.

The Show must go on

The Baby Show, the UK's biggest exhibition for new and expectant parents, came back with a bang (shake and rattle) at London's Earl's Court arena last weekend. This three-day event features all the top baby and toddler brands like Mothercare, Maclaren, Graco and Avent, along with indie retailers and mumpreneurs eager to share their wares.


With live fashion shows, parenting experts on hand to guide you and row upon row of stands, the Baby Show is a great place to try out loads of gear and finally whittle down what you'll really need for those 0-3 years. The sheer range of goodies on offer can be exhausting and after what seemed like miles of trekking I was ready to nap in the giant bouncy chair set up at the Fisher Price stand. Mr. Cheeks was having a fab time scoping out toys and other toddlers - apart from being totally freaked out by a super-sized Bob the Builder. Luckily the kid was soon worn out leaving mama free to wander/shop in peace for another hour.

Sadly we weren't able to bring you live reports from the show, but over the coming weeks Hype Baby and our sister blog Brand New Mama will be featuring some of our favourite products and exhibitors. If you missed the weekend gig, you can catch the Baby Show in Manchester on November 14-16 or plan ahead for 2009 outings at London's ExCeL on March 1, Birmingham on May 15-17 and Earl's Court on October 16-18. For more info check out the Baby Show web site.

Buggy warmers

We're barely halfway through September and already summer (or what passed for summer over here) is almost a distant memory. The air is getting chillier and it's time to start shopping for winter warmers for our precious offspring.

You'll be hard pressed to find something more luxurious for your little one than the Moore and Moore buggy blankets in faux fur or faux sheepskin. Available in irresistible colours like toffee, latte and truffle, these gorgeous blankets are guaranteed to keep any buggie snug through the coming months. The faux sheepskin versions also come with a cute Pocket Pal animal toy that nestles within easy reach to keep baby company as you stroll. All Moore and Moore products are made in the UK and can be found at a variety of online stores or visit their web site for more information.

Buggy driver

Babes will do anything for their own set of wheels. So why not transform a regular stroller into your kid's very own automobile with the ultra cool Light & Sound Buggy Driver baby toy. This brightly coloured gadget attaches to the front of most makes of pushchairs and features a proper dashboard complete with steering wheel, flashing indicators, beeping horn, gear stick and side mirrors. The Buggy Driver will also make actual vroom vroom sounds when your little roadster figures out how to turn the ignition key. What a trip! This toy's recommended for ages 3 months to 2 years but will keep any stroller-confined tot busy for hours. Available at Growing Tree Toys.

Going, going...Green!

If you want to do your bit for the planet, declutter your over-stuffed house and make a little money too, you should check out GreenKidsAuction.com. The newly launched online community auction site offers a user-friendly Ebay alternative that’s aimed at helping eco-loving mums and dads ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ unwanted gear. You can put new and gently used items up for sale at no cost and pay a fee of 4.95% billed only when your item sells. And just to put a little polish on your halo, 5% of proceeds will be donated to Healthy Child Healthy World.

Water colouring

Hype Baby is long overdue to release some kind of hot list relating to our top picks over the years. One of Mr. Cheek’s toys that would definitely make the grade is Tomy’s Aquadraw Deluxe mat. This mess-free drawing pad comes with water-filling pens and cute stencils, helps your kid learn numbers and alphabet, and is very portable for holidays and such. The only drawback is that it takes up a fair amount of space.

Now Tomy has come up with the Aqua Draw 'N' Go placemat which is just the right size to take on days out. The placemat comes in a handy carry tube and uses the same principles of ‘water colouring’ to entertain baby. It should also save parents from stressing over how to scrub crayon off the walls at that swish restaurant. Order direct from Tomy or see their web site for stockists.

All aboard

Happy New Year to all our readers! There’s no time like the present to reorganise your baby’s toys. Nowadays you can find a wide variety of storage solutions to jazz up the nursery or kids’ room. We’ve been carried away by this Guidecraft Train Toy Box that deftly combines two of our toddler’s favourite activities: imaginative play and tidy-up time. The hand-crafted choo choo chest is beautifully designed and features a safety hinge catch and cut-outs to prevent finger pinching. Visit the Guidecraft web site for more storage ideas and a list of sales partners and distributors.

Technorati tags baby toys furniture

Udderly fabulous

Whether you’re weaning baby off the breast or bottle, you’ll probably try out several different training cups before you find the right fit. Yummy mummies will go milk mad for this super stylish Cow Print sippy cup from Blooming Marvellous. Suitable from six-months-old, it'll keep your little one looking swishy even as she dribbles milk down her front.

Technorati tags baby weaning

Little Squirts

So you’ve decorated your nursery in blue, picked out your favourite boy’s names and imagined holding your male progeny in your arms. But unless you’ve parented sons before nothing prepares you for the moment when, as you undo his nappy, your little darling cheerfully squirts pee-pee in your eye. If you don’t feel cut out for this type of target practice, help is at hand in the form of Wee Blocks.

This clever cup-like device is covered in soft 2-ply cotton fabric and contains an absorbent sponge underneath. You simply pop the Wee Block on baby boy at changing time and spare yourself an unwanted shower. Wee Blocks are machine washable and come in fun colours with cheeky slogans like Lil Squirt, Whiz Kid and Wee Wee Man. Available online at Pokkadots.

Technorati tags baby baby boys gadgets

Do you remember life Before Kids?

Once upon a time Saturday all-nighters were spent in the clubs, Sunday mornings were for lazing around and the only cribs you checked out were on MTV. And then you got babied up and life as you knew it changed forever. If you're still feeling a little shell-shocked, the Before Kids range features t-shirts and accessories to help you express how parenting has knocked you for six.



Whether you're a co-sleeping parent or you’re constantly bed-jacked by your toddler, you'll laugh at the Before Kids… three in a bed was risqué' slogan. Notepads stating ‘Before Kids…I thought I was busy’ and coffee mugs admitting ‘Before Kids…I drank decaf’ should also put a smile on your face. Then there’s our personal favourite, ‘Before Kids…work ended at five’. Why? You know. You’ve been there. Visit the Before Kids website for more selections.

Technorati tags parenting fashion accessories