I cannot get enough of these Crankypants! Whether they’re classic or custom made, they’re guaranteed to be astonishing! They’re all handmade and impeccably detailed – check out the owl and the pussycat nursery rhyme! Every size and style features extra rows knit into the bum to make room for a cloth diaper and a drawstring waist for growing room – very thoughtful. What’s even better is that due to the overwhelming popularity of the products, Crankypants have forged a partnership with a Fair Trade Federation certified knitting cooperative in Peru to have the styles made in greater quantities while keeping them hand knit and ethically produced. The cooperative is made up of head of household women who use knitting to support their families. The pants are all hand knit using 100% wool from the Peruvian Highlands that has been locally small batch dyed especially for Crankypants. Amazing! See the entire range or get a quote for a custom item at Crankypants.

The races season is fast approaching dahhling. Don’t let bub be seen in last year’s fascinator, head to Pink Bowtique for upscale, boutique quality hair accessories.  Since this is the sunburnt country, I’d recommend their gorgeous wide-brimmed hats for the mademoiselle, she’ll be covered up and looking sassy with fancy trimmings like flowers, ribbon, feathers and crystals. Just be careful that bub doesn’t look fancier than you! Go to Pink Bowtique to indulge. 

I know that one of my favourite hobbies is sleeping.  I do it all the time – on the train, on the lounge, at my computer. I love it. As most of you would already know, babies also love sleep. Babies want to sleep – they need to sleep – but they sometimes find it hard to do. Unlike me, who has the ability to sleep anywhere (I mean anywhere – once I fell asleep in my performance review meeting), babies are used to sleeping while they are in the womb. That's where they are snugly held and in a perfectly temperature controlled environment. Once they are born, it's like they've crash landed on an alien planet. If they are left to sleep without being properly swaddled their involuntary movements will startle them awake. They may even scratch their face or cause their blanket to rub against their cheek making them think it's feeding time. Also, as they move about under their blankets different parts on their body are warmer or cooler than others which can also make it difficult for them to settle. Babies that wake up for any of these reasons are simply not getting the sleep they need - no wonder they wake up crying!

This is why swaddling is so effective. It helps babies gradually adjust to their new environment and get the sleep they need. It keeps them nice and snug so they can settle into their sleep. It stops the involuntary twitches that usually startle babies awake and keeps them at an even temperature. Swaddling is a tried and true method, used across many cultures and many generations of mums to get babies to sleep. It's taught in all pre-natal classes and recommended by every leading baby sleep expert. Swaddling is essential to ensure babies get the sleep they need. But in the past many parents have found it difficult to properly swaddle their baby. Now the Miracle Blanket has changed that by turning thousands of parents into swaddling experts. And the results are amazing! Not only do babies fall asleep faster and sleep longer, they also wake up smiling and happy instead of crying and tired – and you might find you’re not waking up crying and tired either! Get this lifesaver in a gorgeous palette of pastels, plus easy to follow swaddling instructions at Miracle Blanket.

I’m not afraid to admit that at my age, there are nights where I’ll sleep with a nightlight. I’m a pretty well-adjusted young lass but I always preferred the soft glow of a nightlight to sleeping in complete darkness with nothing to guide me to the bathroom in the dead of night. I also, intermittently, sleep with the television on, the radio humming or with my mp3 player tooting softly in my ears. I think it’s fairly normal for children (and adults) to want an accompaniment to sleep – whether that is light, music, soothing sounds, smells or vibrations.

This is where Cloub B comes in. The original and the best in producing gorgeous, demure products that aide in a restful and safe night’s sleep for infants and children (and don’t forget the adults!). You might be familiar with Cloud B’s Sleep Sheep and Twilight Turtle which have calmed countless children to sleep. The company has now recognised the capacity to make a humanitarian difference in the world while helping children get to sleep with the launch of their Endangered Species Collection. Cloud B donates a portion of all proceeds from their Endangered Species Collection to Conservation International.

The line includes Dozy Dolphin a cutie-patootie dolphin who plays fun sounds when your children want to play, and plays soothing water sounds when they are ready to sleep. Dozy is also made from hypoallergenic, eco-friendly bamboo fabric so you’ll feel safe when tot starts carrying him around everywhere. The Twilight Sea Turtle is a fun and educational nightlight which illuminates in three soothing colours while also illuminating five endangered sea friends. The new Polar Cuddle Cub, a plush polar bear that gently vibrates when snuggled and has a soothing heartbeat pulse rhythm and Gentle Giraffe which makes unique Serengeti sounds, taking your child on a magical journey while effortlessly transforming playtime to sleep time. Go to Cloudb to see the whole great range.