There are certain products that we find people have urgent needs for and you’ll find we wisely always carry these in stock. These include items such as Travel Cots, High Chairs (cause once they’re ready, they’re READY!), and one of my favourite inventions (albeit WELL overdue) The Maternity Pillow.  We sometimes even know from the look of our dear customer’s faces when they walk in that they’re on a Maternity Pillow Mission.

Nightime discomfort can creep up very quickly during pregnancy. I recall many nights juggling multiple small square cushions in between my legs, hips and every other new odd bump my body had suddenly housed. I frequently fell asleep in the midst of re-positioning these as I made my regular roll overs throughout the night trying to get comfortable and ease some pressure from my back.  Despite this being just 6 years ago, I could not for the life of me locate a Maternity Pillow anywhere. Who would have thought an invention like this could be so hard to find.. I even recall making weekly trips to the South Melbourne Market Notice Board in hope that someone would launch their invention in time for my last trimester.

Well Inspired Living did just this with their Maternity Pillow, and according to you guys, its become a saviour for much needed sleep during pregnancy. It also recognises that back pain often persists after baby is born and doubles as a supportive nursng pillow.  Such a great idea and if I were in the mood for making a BIG Claim (with ano responsibility of course) Id say it could possibly guarantee a much better nights sleep for any pregnant woman. I’ll let you be the judge. Inspired Living Maternity Pillows are found right here at bebeonline.

The most common feedback we get about Bajo wooden toys are its timeless quality and broad appeal - to both little boys and girls. The Wooden Jet makes for a great gift for children who are amazed at watching planes fly overhead and for those who are taking a holiday, or taking little ones on their very first plane trip. I know my boy falls in love all over again with his plane toys in the lead up to his next trip in the sky.

Made from eco friendly wood and offering superior craftmanship, these gorgeous planes have a timeless appeal that won’t date. Available in blue, red, yellow and green, check out the Bajo Wooden Jet here..

We couldn’t think of a more apt or fitting product name for Bloom Baby’s latest accessory - the Bloom Snug. Designed to fit the Coco Lounger, Fresco High Chair and Nano High Chair, the Snug fully supports babys neck and  provides full comfort.

We’re not suprised that the innovators at Bloom have gone the extra step in ensuring that the Snug is naturally organic and environmentally friendly. Created with 100% natural Bamboo soft fabric and is both anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic. We’ll be receiving our first delivery of the Bloom Snug ($74.95) in approximately 2 weeks. Stay tuned for this online, or pre-order via our Melbourne store (03) 9821 4405

This week our Window #2 display has been very dynamic - thanks to the curiosity and subsequent popularity of the Playmobil Jet Plane positioned on the third shelf. Its seemed every time we’ve gone to photograph the window there’s been an empty space where the plane sits, either because its getting an enthusiastic trial run in-store by mini pilots-to-be, or its been snapped up as the last one available.  No surprise, because this one really captures the imagination & spark of little people. The “now-you-see-me-now-you-dont” Playmobil Jet Plane is back in stock, so make sure you drop in for a play.

Other fun pieces you may see on your breeze by our store window this week -

G-Bike, $219.95  -  Watch the video post on the G-Bike listing for one of the cutest little munchkins we’ve seen in a long time

Pull-along Zebra, $39.95 - Great for toddler development, and a very cool looking toy/decor piece for the shelf  later on

Bajo Ambulance, $23.95 - Perfectly sized for little hands & also for handbags for take a long trips.

Wee Gallery Flash Cards, $29.95 These high contrast visual patterns are said to promote infant development. Use them as flash cards, frame them or attach to Mobile Kit $19.95 as we’ve done in the window display.

Lefty Lunch Bag, 19.95 - He’s cute, he insulates and he helps the earth by saving us using throw away lunchbags

Since very early on, Ive always tried to limit the amount of TV my child is exposed to.  For the first couple of years it was only switched on after he went to sleep or momentarily for quick “baby-sitting duty” when an important phone call was required.  Im not sure if Ive contributed to the outcome, however my son has now become one of those children mesmerised by the television (see exhibit A above for Liam in his TV Zone out). There’s kids that like TV, and there’s kids that go into the Zone.

We’ve all read about the effects of too much TV on kids of all ages, and do our best to ration TV and  ensure that only quality TV is watched. There is now new research showing that even background TV - the TV which is always on (just “for noise”) can disrupt a child’s normal development and impact their ability to sustain attention.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts found that when children were given toys to play with while the television was on, the children played with each toy for “significantly shorter” periods of time.  Focussed attention during play was also shorter compared to when the TV was off.  So according to the research, even when a child is not overtly watching the TV (especially the younger siblings playing on the floor), they are still inavertedly being affected developmentally.

Time for some further TV rationing I say.

Mamas and Papas originated in the UK when its creators David and Luisa were looking for beautiful things to surround their first daughter with. With roots in Italy, a country filled with passion, style, elegance and design, they took inspiration from everyone and everything and created a whole new world of nursery items for their child. No detail was missed, no expense was spared and the result has been a passionate company based on simplicity, creativity and shape. From gorgeous teddies through to beautiful ride on toys, Mamas and Papas products have found a welcome home here at bebe. We’re thrilled to stock their innovative and well loved designs.

We love the neutrality and timelessness of two of our best selling Mamas & Papas items (shown above) - the Famiglia Patchwork Bear and Famiglia Ragdoll.  Presented in beautiful gift boxes, these make the ideal gift for that special new baby in your life. 

Believe it or not the items below are real products alive and kicking in the marketplace - in a market that is open-minded, a little kooky and one that is close to my heart… why, Only in America, of course. 

1. BUCKTOOTH DUMMY

Some will find this cute..  My take is that it will encourage strangers to point & laugh at your baby, the innocent being who’s not actually in on the joke. 

Sleep deprivation lead to a bad judgement call for me a few years back….I thought it would be ever so cute to wedge some pink easter bunny ears on my 5 mth old baby and email the photo to his grandparents overseas.  Even now at just four yrs old, Liam spots it in the photo album and looks at me with that “what were you thinking, mum?” Ahh, the shame...

2. PO-KNEE

The aptly named Po Knee brings the technology of faux Pony rides into the new millenium.   It seems my mind and Oprah’s arent as alike as I thought. She thought the Po Knee very clever and awarded the mastermind of this ”innovative invention” a million dollars recently.  ‘Would have thought a child in the market for a knee pony ride would be satisfied just with the ride (ie sans -faux pony). I guess that is why im in retail and not a millionaire product inventor.

3. BABY MOP

This is quite weird and definitely wrong. That said, I think there’s a small part in all of us that would like to think that the Baby Mop has potential, right?? Probably best to hang out a few years until the pocket money phase kicks in.  

Authors Note: Bebe receives countless product submissions and continues to welcome these. The products above were not submitted to us and any products submitted are respected and will not be used as comical fodder for our blog. Images above sourced from cracked.com.

Growth charts are one of those basic kids room mandatories… What child doesn’t get excited by seeing how much they’ve grown ? (all because they’ve eaten their greens of course!!)  

We’ve finally discovered a growth chart that is fun and playful while still fitting in with the modern home.   These growth charts feature a family of bold animal characters created exclusively by combining the square, circle and triangle.  They imaginatively introduce kids to basic geometric learning and speak the imagination through the inclusion of memorable animal facts.  

We love that the designers have  integrated social responsibility into the design process – the products are hand crafted using recycled materials & vegetable inks.  Check out the Basic Shapes Growth Chart here.