For your big baby
These are my favourites items to buy for your baby as they grow.
As always, I recommend shopping around for best deal, waiting to purchase during EOFY or end of year sales or checking out Facebook Marketplace for items you’re happy to purchase second-hand.
Learning tower: Moppet Kids
I wanted a foldable learning tower so I could put it away when its not in use and avoid cluttering my kitchen. My pick is from Australian-owned family business Moppet Kids. Their tower is strong and sturdy, designed by a Melbourne-based mechanical engineer (and dad of 3). It doesn’t require assembly, is extra-slim once folded and has a high weight limit of 120kg, meaning kids can use it for longer and adults can use it as a step ladder. I was originally worried about it not being adjustable but this is not an issue (see their FAQs for more). For a more affordable option, look at My Duckling.
Walker: JaBaDaBaDo
I bought our walker from Facebook Marketplace for a third of the price. I wasn’t fussed on the brand, but I wanted a wooden walker and they can be exxy brand new. Mine is JaBaDaBaDo (what a brand name!) and our daughter loves zipping around the house with it so I’m glad I bought it. It helped her gain confidence to walk independently. She loves playing with all the different activities on it and storing her toys in tray at the back. I’d recommend buying second-hand or shopping at HipKids.
Kids table: Cowrie & Conch
Yes this is a bougie buy but once I saw the Confetti table and chairs I was sold. This brand offers the most colours for the best value. Made from 100% eco friendly, recycled and non toxic materials, suitable for indoor and outdoor use and can be wiped or hosed down to clean. Best of all they’re super cute and you can mix and match colours to suit your home and little ones.
Hair accessories: Seed
I found the best value and quality hair elastics at Seed Kids. Their Mini Hair Elastics come in a tub of 300 making it impossible to run out and their Mini Sparkle elastics are also cute. They have a huge range and occasionally I’ve been able to find simple, plain clip-in bows (my preference over adorned bows).
Backpack: Fresh Honey
Bubblegum-coloured personalised backpacks are probably not for everyone, but I love Sydney-based Fresh Honey and think this makes a great gift. You can customise with your child’s name and add a bunch of patches - whatever you fancy. I got the Jolie backpack with my daughter’s name in rainbow lettering, similar to that pictured. It’s a great size that will last for years, is easy to wipe clean and is machine washable.
Lunchbox: Nudie Rudie
Nudie Rudie is the best option for a quality stainless steel lunchbox that will last years - plus it’s an Aussie-owned small business. This lunchbox is leakproof and seals each compartment individually so there’s no spills across compartments, even with dips and yoghurt. It comes with additional snackpots and these are recommended for thin liquids such as salad dressing. My pick is the 5-compartment option. Tip: they also have insulated lunch bags for school-age kids whose lunchbox needs to be kept cold all day.
Name stamp: Kiddo Space
I got served this brand on Instagram and yes it worked but yes I think it’s great. Their KiddoStamp 2.0 is a name stamp with black ink on one end and white ink on the other so you can name your baby’s dark clothes as well. I do think the white ink doesn’t have the staying-power of the black ink but it works well enough for me.