OH BABY

New parenting products worth splashing the cash on – including a stylish bedside crib, meal package & chic baby carrier

Sarah Barns

Published: 11:12, 14 Dec 2021
Updated: 11:53, 14 Dec 2021

HERE comes baby - and with baby comes more 'stuff' than a mum-to-be ever deemed necessary. So, how's a pregnant woman to decide what's actually worth the splurge?

Here, we've rounded up the top picks that launched within the last year that every new parent needs. Purses at the ready!

We've rounded up the top baby products worth splashing your cash onCredit: Getty

HOT WHEELS

Christy McGhee, Consumer and Reviews Editor at MadeForMums, told Fabulous Digital what to look for when buying a pram: “All pushchairs must comply with British Standard 7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 – most will but it’s worth checking if you buy second-hand.

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“Look for a five-point safety harness (again, most will have this as standard) and use it.

"Likewise, use the brake when you’re not pushing the buggy, check the frame is locked into place when you’ve unfolded it, and adhere to the buggy’s weight limit.”

TAKE A SEAT

All babies start off in a rearward-facing infant car seat and the one you buy needs to meet EU standards. Look for the "E" mark label on the seat.

's Tiffany Norris says this is the most important item to splash the cash on.

Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix 360, £199 from Maxi-Cosi -

“This is the one product you should spend money on as it needs to be the safest piece of equipment for your baby. Never use a second hand car seat,” she said.

The four has increased air-flow to help regulate temperature, and fits more beds than any other bedside crib.

Zoe Bosner, Show Director at The Baby Show, told Fabulous Digital: “Your new cot needs to conform to British Safety Standards BS EN 716:2008 and their guidelines stipulate the distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the cot sides should be at least 50cm.

“The mattress needs to conform to safety standards BS 1877-10:1997 and come in either standard or continental size and go in their equivalent sized cot. Choose one that feels firm because your baby needs support while sleeping.”

For autumn/winter, the brand has collaborated with Morris & Co, the storied British interiors brand, famed for its nature-inspired fabrics.

reviewed the DockATot, giving it four and a half stars out of five. Mums claim it helped their baby nod off as it "felt like they were being cuddled".

It has a breathable mesh base and sides to allow air to safely circulate and help keep your baby at a safe temperature at night.

The portable design, which was awarded a gold gong at the Made For Mums 2021 Awards, also provides a safe and familiar environment away from home.

Awarded Mother & Baby’s silver award for best crib or Moses basket, it features a super-soft, organic quilted cotton liner and the brand’s signature chemical-free mattress to provide little ones with the very best support, as well as a breathable liner to ensure air circulates freely.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Forget prams, car seats and cots - what a new parent really needs is a delicious, nutritious food package.

ByRuby promises to help you feel nourished and sustained, when the priority is feeding your new hungry bundle.

The New Parent freezer meal package features classics such as leek and bacon pie, beef lasagne and macaroni cheese, as well as more exotic dishes including Thai red chalk stream trout.

Purearth has launched their Mama Support Juice Box, featuring a mix of cold-pressed green juices, water kefirs and wellness shots to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need to replenish, restore and nourish you after those sleepless nights.

The box also includes magnesium bath salts and a lavender eye pillow for a bit of TLC.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

A baby monitor can give parents a piece of mind - and for Tiffany Norris, it’s worth getting one that has a video.

“As new anxious parents, a baby monitor with just audio means you will be running up and down the stairs every time your baby makes a simple wimper. With a video you are able to check in the screen that your baby is safe and happy.”

The Hubble Nursery Pal Link Premium features a portable large 5” colour screen, and the camera comes with infrared night vision, so you can see your baby with clarity not just during the day but also at night.

Digital Pan Tilt & Zoom camera helps monitor the complete nursery. See, hear and speak to your little one, monitor room temperature to keep your baby's nursery conditions ideal at all times.

Download the Hubble App to see, hear and speak to your baby from anywhere with sound, motion and temperature notifications sent to your smart device.

It also features the latest 2.4GHz FHSS Closed Loop Technology for an ultra-stable & hack-proof connection and high quality digital vision & sound.

WHAT A CARRY ON

Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker and Mother Pukka's Anna Whitehouse have been carting their little ones around with the help of a BabyBjorn carrier.

She is also a fan of the BabyBjorn Bouncer, which has been snapped up by Vogue Williams and Fearne Cotton. Again, it comes in some fab new colourways.

Zoe added: "A recent survey by Which? Revealed that parents voted a baby bouncer as their number one most useful product and I can see why.

"Being able to put your baby down somewhere safe and keep them occupied while you take some time out to make a cup of tea or grab some lunch is a godsend."

She added: "One of the most important rules of baby bouncers is to check the weight and/or age guidance. Most of them can be used from birth, but may not be suitable for premature or low birthweight babies.

"At the other end of the scale, make sure you know when your baby will outgrow the bouncer. They usually have a weight restriction, but also state that you should stop using the seat when your baby can sit, roll or crawl – a milestone that may come before your baby gets too heavy for it.

"The BabyBjorn bouncer is a great choice (minimum weight 8 lbs/3.5 kg) and can be used up to the age of two."

Aden & Anais, a brand loved by Kate Middleton, has created an all-in-one seat that transitions from a bouncer to a chair, as your child grows.

TIME TO PLAY

“Tummy time is important for young babies and I encourage parents to do it at least a couple of times per day,” says Louenna Hood - otherwise known as Nanny Louenna - a Norland Nanny, Maternity Nurse and .

It’s perfect for babies aged 0 to 12 months, and the wooden bars can be unclipped and folded for easy storage - a must for those short on space.

Keep your baby entertained on the go with JoJo Maman Bebe’s Safari Activity Spiral.

It features a lion shaped rattle, a parrot squeaker, an elephant that chimes and has crinkly ears, crinkle leaves, teether rings, a rubber leaf-shaped teether and fun curled spirals to explore.

The spiral shape is easy to wind round car seat handles, buggies and cots, ensuring it’s always within reach.

For new parents looking for some play inspiration, Lovevery is a must. The stage-based subscription Play Kits have been created by child development experts and support brain development from infancy through toddlerhood.

As a new parent, you’ll spend a large amount of your time sitting on the floor: changing nappies, encouraging them to roll and playing games. The Totter and Tumble luxury playmats are a godsend for your knees.

You might not want to hear it, but before you know it your baby won't be so little... so it's worth investing in some toys which will see them through the first few years.

The Yoto Mini is the little sister of the award-winning Yoto player, a little speaker which plays music, audio books and white noise sounds on the move. It works using a card system, with each story card slotted into the top of the speaker.

TIME TO CHANGE

A newborn can go through at least eight nappy changes a day. JoJo Maman Bebe’s koala-print changing mat is proof that practical essentials don’t have to be boring.