You will find a wide range of goods in our shop. However, we have put together some considerations / recommendations that have helped customers choose the right product for them in the past.

Maternity and Nursing Bras
Maternity Wear
Washable Nappies
The Pram
The Cot
Travel Cot 
High Chair
Baby Carrier
Bedding
Children’s Wear
Gift Ideas

Maternity and Nursing Bras

When purchasing a prenatal bra, make sure that the bra is done up on the tightest hook to ensure growing room. A cleavage is definitely out and there should be no bulges under the arm. If your bra is causing pressure on any developing milk glands then it may cause a blockage in your glands and this may lead to a painful condition known as mastitis. This is why underwired bras are not normally recommended when pregnant.

There are 2 main styles of bra to choose from - the traditional hook at the back or the crop-top. Each person prefers a certain style for different reasons and you won’t know if it’s right for you until you try it on. Either way, the crop-top style will obviously be more comfortable to wear at night.

If you intend to breast feed, you will need to buy your nursing bras in the last month of pregnancy, any time after 36 weeks. Again, try and get fitted properly, making sure that your nursing bra is fitted on the loosest setting to allow you to tighten the bra as you regain your pre-pregnancy shape. Choose an opening that allows easy access to each breast e.g. a drop cup.

We offer Emma-Jane and Bravado bras and underwear. If you do not see the style or size available on our on-line shop, please call the store as we may well have it or be able to order in for you.

Breast pads are also important post-delivery and we offer both washable and the new, well received silicone Lilipadz.

Maternity Wear

Your maternity wardrobe is small compared to your usual wardrobe, so whereas you might wear a certain item of your main wardrobe maybe once a week, a certain pair of maternity trousers could be either in the wash or on. In other words, your maternity wardrobe gets a real hammering as it’s constantly worn from the time you are about 20 weeks pregnant until a few months after the baby is born. So, it is worth investing in some items that you absolutely adore. Root out a specialist shop where the staff are knowledgeable and can give you the advice on how to buy wisely.

From bump-hugging dresses to waist length tops over panel free trousers, today's designs allow you to carry on 'being you'. Having a little 'alien' taking over your body is difficult enough without it taking over your fashion sense too! Baring your bump is not for everyone but wearing more fitted clothing can actually have a slimming effect. Try on lots of different specialist styles and find yourself again!

When buying a top, always make sure it fits correctly on the shoulders and bust. When purchasing trousers or a skirt check how your bottom and thighs are looking. When buying a dress – it’s all your bits!
 
We have a wide range of maternity wear in-store, from casual through to wedding attire. However, we have included some of our customers’ favourite basics on-line, including the all important swimming costume to keep fit.

Washable Nappies

There is a vast array of washable nappies available to buy. Thinking about your circumstance may help you in choosing. Also, speaking to other people who use washables is a great help.

For instance, if you do not have a tumble dryer, the Fluffle may be the nappy for you as it’s extremely absorbent and dries really fast. If you like the idea of a one-size nappy that will change shape and grow with your child then Onelife might be the one.

We have included our best selling nappies and accessories on our on-line site.

The Pram

When purchasing your pram, the most important thing to think about is your life style. It isn’t until you use it that you will actually know what it’s like! Think about how you will be using it.

For instance, if you’re into long walks, off-roading or beaching and you know your buggy would need to be durable, then Mountain Buggy may be what you’re looking for.

If however, you are after more of an umbrella style folding buggy, the Micralite might be just the thing.

If you would prefer your child to be raised higher off the ground than usual prams, the Stokke Xplory may be suitable.

Or if you would like a vehicle that converts for all kinds of uses – the Bugaboo could be the one!

Always think of how you will be transporting it – does it fit in the car? Is it light enough to pick up?

For double buggies - will it fit through a standard door width?

The Cot

Think about how long you want the cot to last. Do you just want it to see your child through until they are ready to be moved into a bed, or would you like it to expand into a cot bed to last longer.

The Stokke Sleepi goes beyond this again, as you can then use it as a sofa or 2 chairs!

Travel Cot 

Most people buy a travel cot (strangely enough!) when they are travelling. Therefore, think about the size and weight of the cot in its collapsed state, as well as when it is erected. Bare in mind it will need to fit in the car with the rest of your luggage.

The Nomad Travel tent is the best travel cot we’ve found. It is lightweight, compact when collapsed but big enough to last your child for years, without them feeling they are still in a cot.

We also stock a travel bassinette for new-borns that is good enough to use as an alternative crib at home as well!

High Chair

How do you eat your meals - at a table, on the sofa or at a breakfast bar?

If you sit at a table, it is not necessary to have a high chair with a tray. Unfortunately, children make as much mess pushing food off a tray as they would off the table. However, a child sitting at the same height as an adult at a table, stimulates their development of confidence.

The Tripp Trapp adapts to the size of your child so they can sit comfortably and the family table becomes the biggest and best tray ever.

Of course, if you do not sit at a table, there are other ergonomic chairs with tray attachments available.

Baby Carrier

A baby carrier frees you from the limitations of a stroller. When babies are young, they should be carried in front.

A papoose style carrier has straps that go over both your shoulders like the Babybjorn Original, Active and Air. These carriers always hold your child in the same position, so they are usually used until he/she is around 6 months old.

A sling style carrier only has one strap slanting across your back, however, you will still be able to use this type of carrier when your child is around 2 years, as you can change its position so that your child can be carried on your hip.

A back carrier is perfect if you wish to continue to carry your child. The main stipulation for carrying your child in this way is that they are able to support their own head.

Bedding

There are 2 main types of bedding for babies. The traditional sheets and blanket or a baby sleeping bag.

We and our customers have found the sleeping bags to be invaluable. Not only do you benefit from knowing the children are at the correct temperature but also they will not be able to wriggle out of the covers!

An added bonus is the fact that putting the baby into their sleeping bag completes their bedtime routine which they draw comfort from. As the child gets older and is feeling tired, it may even ask to go into their sleeping bag.

Sleeping bags come in several sizes and togs (thicknesses). You can also adjust the amount of clothing for your baby for different nursery temperatures.

A good tip would be to buy 2 sleeping bags, so there is always a spare when the other is in the wash!

Children’s Wear

Baby and children’s clothing is never out of the wash!! It’s worthwhile, therefore, purchasing clothes that are made well.

If you are using washable nappies, you may find some clothes are too small around the waist or bottom.

Cut4Cloth clothing is cut especially to fit over washable nappies and is ethically made of organic cotton.

ColourCotton baby sets are produced in the purest way. They are made of organic cotton which is naturally tinted. That is to say that there have been no dyes applied to the fabric to create the pattern. 

Gift Ideas

There are endless ideas for gifts. You will need to consider if you want the child to be able to use it right away, or if you want them to have something they’d use in the future.

Colour Cotton’s clothing sets are beautifully presented and offer the purest of clothing to go against the baby’s skin. They are made of organic cotton which is naturally tinted so none of the wear have been through a dying process.

Cut4Cloth’s baby gowns are something a little different. They ease the hassle of fighting with poppers on a baby grow at night. Cut4Cloth produce a fantastic range of clothing for children up to 4 years.

MiYim bear, sheep and dog cuddly toys are made of 100% organic cotton and presented in a lovely box.

Asthma Friendly produce lovely soft toys that are suitable for any child’s use. They are hardy toys as they can be frozen, machine washed, then tumble dried. This also maintains their low allergen state.

Kaloo has a wide range of newborn soft toy and nursery products beautifully presented and are also able to be machine washed and tumble dried.

My Silver Balloon are personalised music CDs with 8 fun and educational tracks where the child’s name is sung in the lyrics. With over 450 names currently available, the chance is your name’s listed.

Sevi produces gorgeous vibrantly coloured wooden toys and gifts. Their letters are a fantastic way of presenting a child’s name.

Some babies and children love sucking and playing with tags, in which case something from the Taggie range would be just the thing. Taggie also produce the popular Hand Puppet Board Books.

Haba is a German manufacturer of soft and wooden inspirational toys from birth to 8 years.

Plan Toys wooden products are designed to develop the child’s senses through play. Their range is suitable from toddler to pre-school.

The beautifully crafted JCB range is a must for any little boy, dad or granddad!

Wheely Bugs are the best ride on toy we’ve found – for all ages!!

Huggy Buggy offer a variety of unique, bright coloured toys made from natural rubber sap. They are hand crafted in a special way that makes them extremely tactile and are soft to touch. These stimulating, sensory toys are great for all ages and include educational, sport and play products. They also have less environmental impact given they are made from a natural substance rather than plastic.

If you have absolutely no idea, or would prefer the parent to buy what they wanted, there is always the old faithful gift voucher!