KidStyleFile

The Baby Show, a public expo of baby and kids products, was held at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne over the weekend, and we had our KidStyleFile roving reporter Sam on the scene. For those who couldn’t make it to the event Sam’s reportage will fill you in. Enjoy! – Angela

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Beautiful venue: CHECK! Enthusiastic retailers: CHECK! Eager families and families-to-be: CHECK!

All the necessary ingredients were in place for a hectic final day of The Baby Show Melbourne 2010, held from Friday March 5^th to Sunday March 7^th, in arguably one of the most picturesque settings in Melbourne, the Royal Exhibition Buildings.

Despite the wet conditions, Melbourne families and soon-to-be families flocked to view the latest products and services being offered by a range of retailers.  There seemed to be a supplier for every possible baby and toddler need, including clothing, furniture, prams and pushers, food products, toys, nappies, photographers and skin products, for both baby and mum.

Environmental sustainability and organic products were big buzzwords this year, as retailers and manufacturers look to develop a more environmentally friendly approach to baby and toddler goods.

The scene was set upon entering the building.  Walking through the doors, my seven-year-old daughter and I were impressed with the layout, with plenty of room in each aisle for families with prams to move through. A quick toilet stop – no queuing – then I checked in at the Baby-Love sponsored Feeding and Changing Rooms. Parents seemed happy with the comfy couches on offer for feeding, and the separate changing room had plenty of change tables for those essential nappy changes.

A stage area was set up at the back of the building, with a visit from the Tellytubbies keeping toddlers occupied while mum and dad had a rest, and maybe a coffee from the cafe.  The Fisher Price Toy Train was another popular space for toddlers to play in, while parents had a shopping break.

Together with my daughter, I scoured the stalls to find my top five favourites, a difficult decision given the many fantastic products on offer.

Here are 5 of our favourite stands from the show:

1. Spunkerella: www.spunkerella.com

The absolute standout stall, as far as my daughter was concerned, was Holly Moore’s Spunkerella, with its colourful, frothy Pettiskirts and Ruffle-ette tops.  In fact, so impressed was my daughter, that she dipped into her Christmas savings to buy herself both a top and a skirt (and believe me, parting this particular seven-year-old from her money is no easy feat!)  Perfect for birthday parties, christenings or just when it’s time to be girly, these adorable skirts swish and twirl with every move.  Since starting her business 8 months ago, Melbourne-based Holly has also developed a range for teens and adults, called Pettiflirts, made out of the same soft, nylon chiffon, and adorned with stylish satin ribbon.

2. Organic Boy|Girl and Friends: www.organicboy.com.au

Putting her environmental sustainability ideals into practice, Melbourne-based mother of two and designer Christine Meister has developed a range of organic cotton clothing for boys and girls, from sizes 1/2 to 5/6.  Launching in August 2009, Christine’s range has quickly grown from toddler underwear and t-shirts, to now include singlets (from size 000 to 5/6), fleece blankets and groovy jeans, all made using Australian-grown organic cotton, and printed and sewn by local, Melbourne-based companies.  Christine’s designs were inspired by her desire to find boy’s clothes which were not pirate or “skull and crossbones” themes.  Her philosophy of producing as environmentally sustainably as possible extends to her simple but stylish cardboard packaging and coat hangers.

3. Nought2five: www.nought2five.com

One of my favourite furniture items from the Melbourne Baby Show was the HiLo Kid’s Chair, from nought2five. This innovative and retro-styled chair, available in four different colours, can be used by children from 6 months to 6 years of age, with a unique flip system that allows it to be used at a dining table or at the kitchen or island bench.  Other products that caught my eye at nought2five included the Australian-designed Snug Silk Series of luxury silk bedding, super-soft and with a gorgeous embroidered stylized puppy, and the innovative and fun Boon Frog Pod (also available in a ladybird design – Bug Pod), a hygienic and tidy way to store bath toys.

4. Melobaby: www.melobaby.com

Developed by Sydney mum Melissa Walsh, Melobaby is a compact but stylish all-in-one nappy wallet and change mat, which folds neatly and easily to fit into your handbag.  Made using nylon twill, and featuring an easy-open easy-close magnetic clasp, the Melobaby is a longwearing, washable product, which comes with a wipes purse and washable soft fleecy mat.  Additional wipe purse packs and fleece mats can be purchased separately, including a longer, leopard-print mat for fashion-conscious mums.  Current standard colour-ways include black with a charcoal mat, or dark brown with lime-green mat, however Melissa will soon be launching a soak-able, cream-coloured cotton canvas pack, with caramel mat.  Judging by the crowd at the Melobaby stand, Melissa has created a very popular product for those days on the town with your baby or toddler.

5. Seed Organic Furniture: www.seedorganic.com.au

Seed Organic presented absolutely beautiful nursery furniture, which not only looks good, but is environmentally friendly and sustainable too – complete with certification and an explanation of which materials are used and why. These plain white pieces include moses baskets, cradles, cots, bed conversion kits and chests of drawers, really ‘pop’ with the addition of colourful soft furnishings.

Other notable products:

iiamo bottles: www.iiamo.com

Made in Denmark, this innovative, self-warming feeding bottle was one of the most popular products at the Melbourne Baby Show.  It uses a special salt-based organic water heater to warm milk to the recommended feeding temperature in around 4 minutes.  Heat on the go, as no electricity is required!

Mothercare: www.mothercare.com.au

Hailing from the UK, Mothercare has recently opened a retail outlet at Chadstone Shopping Centre, and will be opening another at Doncaster in April this year.  Well known by many with an English heritage, Mothercare offers a range of maternity wear, children’s wear (newborn to size 8), prams, furniture and other baby and toddler essentials at competitive prices.

Please check individual stores for stockist/postage and delivery information.