HELLO JUNIOR

STICKY PLUM Because your mini me needs his/her very first best friend! These heirloom dolls are made from ramie linen, giving them texture and quality, and making them more environmentally friendly. There are various outfits to suit a variety of styles and age preferences, but outfits can also be customised to your specific desire. Plus, the dolls and rattles can be personalised with a name embroidered onto the doll, rattle or outfit. Miss Tulip: R410 Rattles: From R85 for standard rattles Available from www.sticky-plum.myshopify.com or via shopstickyplum@gmail.com

First and foremost, the most important pre-birth activity is throwing yourself a bash. For your last hurrah, stay out as late as possible, sleep in all day and then become sane again. It’s intimidating and overwhelming, but we promise it’s also so much fun! Here’s our list of best buys for your future boss baby for the first six months.

MEMBER OF THE VEGAN SOCIETY: CHILDS FARM No parabens, SLSs, mineral oils or artificial colors. Launched in 2011 by Mum of two Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm is the second largest baby and child toiletries brand in the UK. They products aren’t locally produced or organic, but they use naturally derived ingredients and essential oils to produce a range of mild, kind and delicious smelling toiletries that care for the hair and skin of newborns. • Baby Moisturizer Mildly Fragranced: R88.42 • Baby Wash Unfragranced: R79.68 • Baby Nappy Cream Unfragranced: R79.68 • Baby Shampoo Unfragranced: R79.68 • Baby Bedtime Bubbles Organic Tangerine: R79.68 Available at Baby City, Babies R Us, Pick ’n Pay, selected Clicks, selected Checkers stores as well as online from www.takealot.com and www.babiesafrica.com

VEGGIE BULLET Mums, from the creators of the famous Nutribullet, this marvelous appliance takes all the grunt work out of healthy food meal prepping. The Veggie Bullet is a true kitchen miracle that automatically slices, shreds and spiralises vegetables at the push of a button. So, when babe is ready for solids – around four to six months – ta-dah! R3,999 from www.takealot.com

TOMMEE TIPPEE We just love these simple and intuitive baby products from a loyal and well-trusted brand with over 50 years’ experience! Store solids in the freezer and they come out with ease. From four months and up – Tommee Tippee Pop Up Freezer Pots: R159.99 From six to seven months and up – Tommee Tippee Explora Easy Scoop Bowls: R109.99 (the only feeding bowl you’ll ever need) From four months and up – Tommee Tippee Explora Heat Sensing Spoons: R89.99 (this genius utensil changes colour so you know baby’s food is ready to eat) Available from Baby City, Babies R Us and Clicks as well as online from www.tommeetippee.co.za

NUK This is our pick for a self-soother because the shape resembles a mother’s nipple as she breastfeeds … genius! The NUK Genius Size 1 Soothers (for 0 to six months) also has an improved shape, so it enforces less pressure on baba’s jaw for easy, effortless sucking. PS: It’s BPA free! R189.99 from Baby City, Babies R Us and Dis-Chem Pharmacies as well as online from www.takealot.com

PHILIPS AVENT NATURAL TWIN ELECTRIC BREAST PUMP Let baba become a mermaid or merman in these super Hefty price tag, we know! There is a more affordable manual: R1,000.55 and a single pump: R2,808.35 option, but the double breast pump is way more effective, thus less time and less fuss for Mom. It features a gentle stimulation mode and three pumping settings and works quickly by allowing you to pump simultaneously from both breasts at the touch of a button. R5,689.05 from Baby City, Toys R Us, Baby Boom, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Clicks, Pick ’n Pay, Checkers, Spar,

Makro, Game and Jet as well as online from www.takealot.com, www.zando.co.za www.loot.co.za and www. babiesafrica.com

PHILIPS AVENT MICROWAVE STEAM STERILISER This product lets you sterilise bottles, dummies and teethers fast and effectively at home. Up to four Philips Avent bottles or products can be sterilised at once, with 99.9% of germs killed in just two minutes. It’s also so easy to travel with! Available from Baby City, Toys R Us, Baby Boom, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Clicks, Pick ’n Pay, Checkers, Spar, Makro, Game and Jet as well as online from www.takealot.com, www. zando.co.za www.loot.co.zaand www. babiesafrica.com. RRP is at the sole discretion of the retailer: R659 from Makro.

TOBBIE & CO The Mini Muncher 2-in-1 Dummy Clip and Teether are made from 100% medical-food grade silicone and raw, untreated beechwood according to European safety standards. They’re free from BPA, phthalates, cadmium, PVC and lead, which means no strangulation hazard for your baby! You can still attach safely any pacifier, sippy cup or blanket and keep it off the floor. R145 each from www.tobbieandco.co.za

BABY STAR This brand is eco-friendly and most of their clothes are unisex, so if you ever have number two then no problem! They’re incredibly soft and of the highest quality too ... and did we mention how affordable damn adorable they are? All clothing is available from 0 to 24 months. • Cool Cotton Unisex Bloomers: R150 (deep red yellow or cream) • Sleeveless Unisex White Romper: R200 • Unisex Pants: R350 Available from Kids Emporium as well as online from

www.takealot.com, www.zando.co.za and yourbabystar.com

TOMMEE TIPPEE From six months and up – Tommee Tippee Explora Magic Mat: R99.99 (grips the bowl so you don’t have to) Available from Baby City, Babies R Us and Clicks as well as online from www.tommeetippee.co.za