SHOPPING FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE

I’ve just had a girlfriend call in with her nine-month-old twin babies. Double delight. That, coupled with the fact that I have a few nephews due to become dad’s this month, has had me focusing on little people of late.

With my nephews it’s been a case of looking for gifts to buy and with my girlfriend it’s been a matter of observing what she’s pulling out of her car to use while tending to her babies. High chairs, for example, look a little different to what my children sat in when eating and spitting out rusks and pureed vegetables; and baby monitors are certainly moving with the times – like the one I sourced in Harvey Norman, offering the ability to see, as well as hear, baby.

Some things haven’t changed so much though, like decisions around when to transition toddlers to beds, and old-fashioned fun things that continue to appeal despite the lure of technological toys. The road-map mat I found in Briscoes is a case in point. Many a model of matchbox toy – accompanied by the mandatory brmm brmm noises – was driven over the road map my children had. Back to the beds’ discussion, for those looking for beds for littlies, Westgate Lifestyle seems an obvious first port of call with a generous number of bed shops. There are starter beds, bunks, and there’s those that go the extra mile design-wise, like the car version pictured (there’s also a princess one). Choosing the right mattress for your child is significant I discovered on my travels, with the correct level of support important during growth spurts. It will also aid a peaceful night’s sleep, which will assist the whole family, I was told. I imagine the allure of a peaceful night’s sleep will have a few people reviewing their families’ mattress situations.

My friend with the twins has an older child for whom she’s recently bought a mattress in a box. Thanks to time spent at Westgate Lifestyle’s bed shops this was something I actually knew about! I also know there’s a whole range of wonderful bits and pieces to buy for the little-ones. While it’s the norm for me to buy books as presents for little people, I may well be tempted this time to turn the page and purchase something different. How cute is that owl cushion from Bed, Bath & Beyond, or that animal-themed dinner set from Briscoes. More double delight!

1. Hip Bunnies duvet cover set by Squiggles, $59.90, from Harvey Norman |2. Starter bed, from $499, from Bedstop |3. Dixon car bed frame by Nero furniture, $432, from Harvey Norman |4. Talia bunks (frames), $999, from Bed Post |5. Kids’ polar fleece throws, $6.40, from Bed Bath & Beyond |6. Trumpet chair, various colours, $99, from NOOD |7.Kids’ owl grey cushion, $9.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond |8. Volere my first dinner set animal friends, three piece,$17.99, from Briscoes |9. Busy Town kids’ map, $25.00, from Briscoes |10. Uniden wireless baby video monitor, $249, from Harvey Norman.

Prices mentioned, and availability of products featured, are subject to change. If you love the look, we recommend you head in store to find out more.