Question: I’ve noticed that many of your wraps and blankets are made from merino. What it is so special about merino and why would I have my baby sleep in merino all year round?

Answer: Merino is a luxurious natural fibre that has a soft and silky tone that is perfect for babies and children.  It is a wonder fibre that has evolved over millions of years, and as such is perfect for infants sleepwear. There are many natural attributes that make merino one of the most comfortable fabrics to wear, the most important is that it regulates temperature. Merino is wonderful at keeping baby warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot, and because it’s 100% natural, there is no need for a tog rating like there is on synthetic fibres and it’s got a natural safety element in the built in fire retardants.

Merino is also a huge hit with parents worldwide because it breathes and controls moisture and reduces skin allergies as it does not itch a babies skin. Isn’t it great that something that is natural and back to basics is also available in gorgeous designs perfect for sleeping in all year round? Check out the gorgeous merino brands Merino Kids, Nature Baby and Little House who bring us Merino wraps, merino swaddle wraps, sleeping bags, and blankets.  These ranges are always much loved gifts, and also make great nursery basics - there is something for the most style conscious baby here.

Question: “My hospital list includes terms I’ve never heard of before. Bunny rugs, swaddle wraps, muslins and sleep gowns. Can someone translate please?”

Answer: There are so many things to think of when it comes to preparing your hearts and home for a new baby, and to an expectant first time mum, it can all get quite confusing! There are ‘baby basic’s’ that are important to gather and have ready before welcome your baby, and then there are the things which we tend to purchase as our babies get closer simply because they are gorgeous and we cant resist! Here at bebe we have an extensive range of items that are just the thing for your hospital bag, and also items that you’ll simply have to have, for practicalities sakes, and also because they are too cute to leave behind.

BUNNY RUGS are blankets which are usually made of cotton or pure wool (or a combination of both) and used over your baby in the pram, to be wrapped in for a cuddle or laid on the change table in the shopping centre to keep germs at bay. They have 101 uses really! The same goes for SWADDLING CLOTHS, often also called MUSLINS or MUSLIN WRAPS. Although they are ideal for using to “swaddle’ your baby, they can be used to drape over the front of the pram to keep the sun away, as a sheet when the others are in the wash. With a light open weave that allows air to flow seamlessly through the material, muslins such as the Aden and Anais range are a popular ‘Nursery Essentials’ items for our customers.

SLEEP GOWNS are those wonderful old fashioned inventions that our great grandmothers used on babies. Both Nature Baby and Eeni Meeni Miini Moh have wonderful sleep gowns, and with their drawstring bottom it makes night time nappy changes a breeze. Who wants to fumble with a dozen press studs on the crutch of a growsuit, when you could simply use one of these gowns and make your wee one comfy in a much shorter time span? In beautiful organic fabrics, sleep gowns have come a long way since the cheesecloth versions of days gone by. Team them up with a Merino sleeping bag, and your little one will be drifting off to dreamland in cosy breathable fabrics, helping ensure that you are giving them the best chance possible of keeping a regular temperature through the night which can help a baby to sleep comfortably and well.

About the author: Donna Sheppard-Wright is a former nanny, mother of two delightful rascally sons and juggles a career as a birth attendant/post natal mother’s support with working part time at bebe (how does she do it?!).  We’re lucky to have Donna share her insight into her experience of new-motherhood and how to ensure you have the support you need when your baby arrives. Donna can be contacted at nurture@netspace.net.au

This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions of late, due to our discerning bebe customers doing your own research on global contemporary nursery furniture. The Oeuf Sparrow collection is currently undergoing testing and re-configuring to meet Australian saftey standards.  We will know in the coming weeks if this will be available to us before year’s end, so keep an eye out here on the bebe online blog. 

The all birch Oeuf sparrow cot includes all of the features that customers have come to expect from Oeuf; quality European craftmanship comined with a mid Century flair and easy assembly and convenience, such as a conversion kit to transform the cot into a toddler bed.  The Sparrow will join Oeuf’s Classic Collection, which proves to be an ongoing popular choice for the modern family. 

The Oeuf Classic Collection is available both online and in-store at bebe.  

Nathalie (Brisbane) wrote-

“I love the look of the Bloom Fresco high chair and the idea of it “growing with the child”, but am a  bit confused about the difference between the standard Fresco high chair  and  the Fresco Loft version. Please explain for me. Thanks,Nat”

We get asked this question a lot, and the answer is refreshingly simple - height and colour choice.

The Fresco Loft has an extra 15cm of height than the standard Fresco - making it a fabulous choice for flexibility of use and longevity of life in your family. Having the option of making it taller makes it  suitable for using at not just standard height tables but also benches, kitchen breakfast bars and those taller than standard dining tables that feature in many modern homes. The Fresco Loft also comes in the Ebony color (black) which is unique to the high chair market

The Bloom Fresco and Fresco Loft high chair are contemporary highchairs that stay with your child from baby to school-age. They are modern, practical and a must-have for the families who believe in form & function products that are consistent with the style of the family home.

View the Bloom Fresco and Bloom Fresco Loft high chair here..

Question -  I’m having our first baby in October and have been wondering about visitors coming to the hospital to see us. Can people come at all times of day, or only in certain times? How many is too many, and why?

Answer - Welcoming a new baby to a family is exciting for so many people, not just the parents! Quite often, a new mum is overwhelmed by the love and support that many people rush into the hospital to give her. In my role as a birth attendant, and as a mother myself, I see the first days of a babies life as very important to be spent resting and recouperating, after what may have been a long and tiring labour.

For my first son’s hospital birth I welcomed only my parents and my oldest and dearest friend to visit me afterwards, requesting that others please telephone me, or visit me once I had returned home. Someone had suggested this to me, and it stuck as good sensible advice.

It’s important for parents to  find time and space to get to know their new baby, without too many others coming in to congratulate you and whisk the baby into their adoring arms. My suggestion for new parents is to limit the people that come to see you in the first few days, or often week. When a new mums hormones are still adjusting to motherhood, and she is exhausted, ‘keeping up appearances’ for visitors can be trying.

It’s also an important time to allow your baby to feel rested and climatise through getting to know the smells of the parents, and adjusting to life outside the womb with those closest to them, without being handed about to different people. A well rested mum who is left relatively undisturbed can sometimes have a much better chance of breastfeeding with more ease, than a mother who is visited often, and by many.

I often suggest to new parents as they get closer to their birth date that they may want to tell those close to them that they would love to have visitors at home, but that perhaps keeping immediate family or close friends as the hospital visitors.  It’s lovely to have people drop over and make you a cuppa when you are home from hospital and the constant care of the midwives, and friends and family usually genuinely love to help in whatever way that they can. Take them up on their offers of support, and sit back and get to know your precious new baby.  It’s a special time, and rushes by ever so fast. 

We often get asked by new parents-to-be exactly what role a baby bouncer plays in the daily life of a new baby.

This week Michaela asked:
Is a baby bouncer/rocker really something that I will use? In between having a sling, baby carrier and pram – in what instances would I use a bouncer?

Baby bouncers and rockers are a wonderful way to sooth a fussy baby or occupy an infant for a few minutes. They can easily become a lifesaver for exhausted parents and a wonderful tool to help infants fall asleep peacefully. I recall my bouncer being a godsend in those early months when I needed to complete basic tasks like showering, domestic duties and even just to give my baby a break from being constantly held.    Babies need space just like the rest of us, and allowing them some “down time” in the bouncer in between feeds can be a great re-grouping opportunity for all,

The bouncers sold by bebe all differ slightly in the extent to which they bounce, rock, and provide additional activities for your resting child. Refer to individual listings for detailed information on features and benefits.

Summary of core difference in bebe’s bouncers:

The Oeuf Baby Lounger is very popular for the modern family wanting something very minimal and neutral.  The Oeuf Lounger features a padded machine washable canvas seat that rests on its steel seat frame.  The Mamas & Papas Retro Bouncer is similar in its simplicity, however this also features a light vibrating feature.

The BABYBJÖRN Baby Sitter 1-2-3  is very simple and has been around for many years. It has clean lines, requires no batteries, and yet has the ability to entertain and soothe.  

If you’re looking to provide some gentle activity for your baby in comfort and style the Mamas & Papas Starlite Swing is a great choice for parents. The practical rocker easily converts from a rocker/swing to a stationary chair and is lightweight to fold and carry easily

The Bloom Coco Lounger is has a sleek design that looks right at home in a contemporary decor. Form follows function with a beautiful bentwood construction that allows the lounger to rock gently - and the soft seat and five-point harness nestle your little one safely and comfortably.

The Mamas & Papas Go-Go rocking cradle has a clean minimalist style with reversible colours and supreme comfort for your baby.  Its design is well thought through with extra features such as reversible fabrics, multi positional toy bar and integral co-ordinated head hugger which provides additional support for newborns.

Learn more about our bouncers and rockers here.

New to the bebe blog is a regular weekly posting which answers your FAQs via telephone, in-store and online. 

This week Jodie asked us:  I am considering purchasing either Mountain Buggy or Stokke Xplory.  Im confused about how they differ on a day to day basis and which is the better pram. What is your feedback on these?

With so many small moving parts, you get what you pay for with prams, and both strollers you’re considering are of very high quality and design. While we can’t post our own opinions on the limitations of these prams, we can provide you with a summary of the positive customer/first hand feedback on these. One pram is not necessarily better than the other - the most important factor is  choosing a stroller that is most appropriate to your lifestyle and needs.

The Mountain Buggy
This is a sturdy 3 wheeler pram, which we have found the best feedback on these to be from regular joggers, those needing to drive the pram over unsteady ground/gravel such as in country/coastal areas, and those with an immediate need to use a kiddie board for the second child. Many of our inner city customers also find the Mountain Buggy works well as a (second) beach house pram.

The Stokke Xplory
The Stokke Xplory appeals very much to our urban dwelling customers and those with an appreciation for design.  The most common comments we hear back on the xplory strollers is its great manoeuvrability and ease of handling/steer. We’ve noticed those on the taller side or with back problems particularly love the xplory, as there is no stooping at all when pushing the pram or placing the baby into it. 

Learn about the functions & benefits of these & other prams and strollers, including first hand reviews by you..