Boogie down Babes

A hot new scene, hip young things strutting their stuff and a sulky date who refused to dance. My clubbing experience last Saturday was just like the B.C. era (before child) except the event was Baby Loves Disco, the groovy set were mostly wearing nappies and the date in question was an extremely moody and somewhat overwhelmed Mr. Cheeks. Luckily the soft play chill-out zone behind the DJ booth provided a refuge where my two-year-old could tinker with toys, browse books and slowly get into the swing of things. By the end of the session, he was breakdancing (in his own stylee) to Chaka Khan and even ventured out with mummy onto the main floor.



Launched in the US, Baby Loves Disco is quickly becoming a UK sensation thanks to hostess with the mostess Naomi Timperley who describes herself as ‘just a mum from Manchester’ and is still pinching herself at its success. The media are abuzz with the story and monthly events in London are sold out through April (Manchester tickets are also going fast).

Naomi couldn’t have found a slicker spot than the Clapham Grand with its light-up floor that makes even the most left-footed feel like Travolta. The popular south London nightclub is transformed into a family-friendly venue with changing stations, stroller parking and healthy snacks for kids – although the bar stays open for grown-ups. Old timers and mini movers twirl around with hula hoops, balloons and bubbles fill the air and a DJ from Heart 106.2 FM spins funky, feel-good tunes. It's the joyful vibe and the sight of everyone from toothless tots to decked-out dads letting loose that turns what could have been a cheesy pre-school disco into a boogie wonderland. Get on down to Baby Loves Disco UK.

Wonder baby - Special Offer

Your baby is a superhero in the making. He can fly (with a little help from papa), he can leap (small) buildings in a single bound and his tiny grip has the power to melt the iciest of hearts. Maybe he's not ready for the cape, tights and matching underpants just yet. But the least he deserves is a Wonder Baby 'one peacey'. It's just one of several superfly shirts and onesies for tots aged newborn to 18 months that are on special offer from our friends at PeaceLoveMom. Through January 15, all wonder babies and (wondrous babymakers) will get 10 percent off any product at the site by entering the code HYPEBABY at checkout.

Technorati tags baby fashion shopping

Sing with Putumayo

I was thrilled to find a copy of Putumayo’s compilation World Playground 2 at our local children’s library. I’ve always been a big fan of Putumayo whose ethos is to promote diversity through multicultural song and dance from around the globe. Following on from the multiple award-winning World Playground, this CD features tunes to appeal to little ones such as Music Farm, a sort of Trinidadian version of Old Macdonald, as well as legendary artists like Toots & the Maytals. It rounds off with Miriam Makeba singing an updated version of the joyful South African classic Pata Pata with her granddaughter.

The liner notes are filled with colourful drawings that I could read to my baby like a book. I also picked up Latin Playground and Sing Along with Putumayo which has enough catchy folk and blues to chase away those Baa Baa Black Sheep for a few weeks. Putumayo do a fab job of exposing kids to stuff often tucked away on the back shelves of record stores. But it’s up to us parents to teach them that all music is world music and world music belongs to everyone.

Technorati tags baby music gifts

Playing it Cool

Looking for a cool way to store your pre-schooler's growing music collection without breaking the bank (or testing your technophobia to its limits)? The award-winning Kid-Tough FP3™ Digital Song and Story Player is a digital media player that gives youngsters and parents a safe, age-appropriate and user-friendly way to play downloadable content. Using the software and USB cable provided, you can update it with up to 30 songs or 15 stories from your own CDs or from the Fisher Price online store. Built to withstand rough handling by little fingers, the player features a backlit LCD display screen, 128MB memory, kid-safe headphones and SD card slot for expandable memory. Available in pink and blue, it's recommended for ages 3 upwards. Also at Toys R Us.

Technorati tags mp3 players music preschoolers

Born to rock da mic

Does your baby have the gift of the gabble? Does he make you want to put your hands in the air and wave them like you just don't care? Let your little superstar take centre stage in this MC Shorty bib and bodysuit set. Part of the adorable vinyl file baby clothing range at DJ megastore Hard to Find Records, it's available in sizes 0-6 months. A perfect gift for the newborn who rocks the house.

Technorati tags baby fashion shopping music

Press play

Whether you’re a music maniac or a tech freak, you’ll love these IPod inspired outfits for babies created by IPop My Baby. Co-founded by Rhode Island-based Kevin Muoio and Londoner David Schroeder, IPop My Baby sells ultra-cute jumpers, onesies and t-shirts featuring the signature IPod Click-Wheel as a logo. Each item comes in hot IPod colours like white, pink, baby blue and black and is available in multiple sizes. Transform your babe into the ultimate geek chic accessory. Just don’t expect to control his volume by spinning the wheel. Check the web site for a list of retailers.

Technorati tags baby fashion shopping music IPod

Hip Hop Lullabies

Bored with those ancient lullabies? Tired of cutting loose to Mother Goose? Hype mamas and papas rock the night shift on old-school beats with a baby-friendly twist. The original Hip Hop Baby CD features rap classics like Salt N Pepa’s ‘Push It’, Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ and Outkast’s ‘Ms Jackson’ specially remixed for the crib. So even after soothing baby to sleep, mom and pop can groove on ‘til the break of dawn. Believe us, the lullaby version of the Fugee’s ‘Ready or Not/Fugee La’ is a thing of beauty.

The Hip Hop Baby CD is available at Nippaz with Attitude which stocks soundtracks to suit almost any taste or mood e.g. Punk Baby, 80s Baby or even Ibiza Baby. UK-based Nippaz with Attitude is an urban clothing label sported by celeb sprogs of Madonna, Russell Crowe and Kate Moss, to name-drop a few. Check out t-shirts, bodysuits and bibs with slogans like Fight the Power, Mama Ain’t Raising no Fool and You Don’t Have to Sleep to Dream at the Nippaz with Attitude site.

Technorati tags celebrity baby clothes fashion music