There’s saving some for later… and then there’s saving some for later in a more ‘unique’ way.

US designer Allicia Mogavero set up Mommy Milk Creations after wanting to create a lasting memento of breastfeeding her children.

Mogavero ‘plasticises’ breast milk samples, moulds them into miniature shapes such as hearts, moons, stars or leaves and then turns the pieces into keepsake jewellery including pendants and bracelets. Names, various coloured backgrounds and even locks of hair can be added to your truly unique piece.

Buyers are instructed to send two tablespoons of their milk in a zip-lock bag to Mommy Milk Creations, after which the milk goes through a complex preservation process. No two pieces are ever the same – the colour and fat content of breast milk varies considerably between women, ranging from bluish-white to creamy yellow.

Mommy Milk Creations are priced from US$64. Orders take ten weeks to complete and can be shipped internationally.

Over to you, Babyologists – would you wear your own breast milk on a pendant?

You can never have too many gorgeous bags right? Of course not, especially when it’s as stunning as this latest offering from Isle of Charlie!

Isle of Charlie know all about creating magnificent bags for modern mums with a stellar nappy bag collection catering for all the demands of a mum on the run. While all of their bags are a sublime mix of style meets function, the jewel in the Isle of Charlie crown has to be the launch of their latest nappy bag – Finlay. Made from premium grade leather, the Finlay nappy bag is available in two colours, fashion forward Vintage Red or timeless Almond.

Its clean, streamlined design is a dream to carry with adjustable shoulder strap, change mat, dummy safe and insulated bottle warmer, but it’s more than just a baby bag. The Finlay bag doubles as a luxe handbag (or work bag) with room for most laptop sizes and a single external pocket for easy access to your own personal items, allowing you to find your phone and keys in an instant.

Finlay nappy bag is priced $299 and is available from Isle of Charlie.

I’m in the ‘drop-some-very-broad-hints’ camp when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts and as such, I might just have to send a link to this post to the main present-buyer in my house! Read on, we’ve got lots of great gift suggestions for mums.

Some mums shy away from the thought of kitchen appliances for Mother’s Day. I say if they look as slick and as super as the MUM5 Kitchen Machine from Bosch, then bring it on! The Kitchen Machine does it all – it’s a mixer and a kneader plus it comes with a range of accessories that turn the Kitchen Machine into a blender, citrus press, mincer and continuous shredder. The MUM5 Kitchen Machine is priced from $699. Now I hope my husband is reading this post because he’ll note that the Kitchen Machine shown above is in Yellow Passion and yellow is my very favourite colour…

Once you’ve got your hands on the very nifty MBrand iPhone Cover with Mirror you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. Suitable for the iPhone4/4S, the hard shell slides down to reveal a mirror – no more trying to catch your reflection on your phone screen! Available from Hard to Find for $25 (including shipping).

Looking for a Mother’s Day keepsake? The simple elegance of silver jewellery from Koolaman Designs is sure to please. The modern shapes of Koolaman pendants, including basic squares, circles and ‘dog tags’ are hand stamped with all the important ‘little’ details in your life. Koolaman pieces are also a gorgeous gift for grandmas. Prices begin at $45 and the Mia pendant (shown above) is $170.

For a colourful keepsake with a subtle nod to your precious baby’s birthday, discover the stunning Motherlove birthstone pendants from Shashen Jewels. Following the traditional birthstones of each month – from January’s deep red garnet to December’s cool blue topaz, these handcrafted pendants are designed to be handed down from generation to generation. Pendants are $180 each – visit Shashen Jewels to discover the ancient meanings behind each of the birthstones.

For a gift with a real difference, treat mum to a membership at Mum the Photographer. Mum the Photographer is an online program giving you unlimited access to tricks and tutorials to help improve the photos you take of your children (and you can never have too many snaps of your kids). A lifetime membership to Mum the Photographer is US$69.95 – a small investment for a lifetime of beautiful memories!

If you receive sleepwear for Mother’s Day it gives you license to stay in bed all day long, reading and drinking cups of tea, doesn’t it? Yes, especially if you’re lucky enough to receive gorgeous sleepwear from Miss Gifted. Stocking a range of pyjamas and nighties from leading brands, Miss Gifted is your one-stop-shop for stylish hampers and gifts for women, mums and bubs. Sleepwear is priced from $19.95.

And if you are planning on lounging in bed, make sure you have the comfiest, most snuggly sheets available – these cotton jersey sheets from Whiteport will fit the bill. Sleeping in jersey sheets is like being wrapped up in your most comfortable t-shirt and these Whiteport sheets are even finished with a touch of aloe vera for supreme softness. The set includes one flat and one fitted sheet and two standard pillowcases, and is available in queen ($249.95) and king ($279.95) sizes.

Get personal this Mother’s Day with cute gear from Hippo Blue. There’s nothing wrong with wearing your heart on your sleeve (or your bib!) when it comes to showing mum how much she is loved and the fun Mother’s Day gift range from Hippo Blue will let the whole world know who is number one! Personalised ‘I Love Mum’ bibs and t-shirts begin at $14.95.

Mums on the go needn’t sacrifice style for comfort – simply invest in a pair of Fold-up Flats from Shoe Empire! Available in a range of colours and patterns, the handy folding design means you can slip a pair of these fab ballerina flats into your handbag and pull them out when you just can’t walk another step in heels. Of course, they are stylish and practical enough to wear everyday as well. Prices begin $29.95.

Naturally you’ll need a new bag for those fancy ballerina flats… and all the other stuff that mums have to carry! Our pick is the gorgeous Il Tutto After Baby bag. For mums that have graduated from carrying a nappy bag, the Il Tutto After Baby bag offers a stylish but roomy alternative. It has oodles of room for your gear as well as anything you need to carry for the kids and of course shows off Il Tutto’s signature style. The After Baby bag is $349 and is available in three colours.

Also brand new for Mother’s Day is Il Tutto’s signature wallet. Like all Il Tutto products, the wallet combines style with functionality. A fun polka-dotted lining and silver trim plus room for twenty-eight cards, two photo windows to showcase your loved ones, a zipped coin compartment and several compartment for notes and or valuables. Best yet, the wallet is large enough to hold a slimline smart phone. It’s available in black or cream and is $129 – find it online at Il Tutto.

Mother’s Day shouldn’t just be celebrated by those with children already in their arms. The anticipation of becoming a mother is equally beautiful and deserving of recognition. So while those of us with children look forward to hand-drawn cards and cold toast lovingly smeared with Vegemite, mothers-to-be will no doubt appreciate some well thought-out gifts for the coming months.

Something warm and comfortable to wrap a growing baby bump is a must for women who are pregnant over winter. Soon Maternity makes pregnancy fashion flattering and fun, and the new season knitwear is a winter wardrobe staple. The drape cardis ($99.95) are a great option as they suit pretty much every body type, as do the boxy maternity knits ($99.95), which will continue to be a functional wardrobe piece even after pregnancy.

Some pregnancy wardrobe essentials wouldn’t go astray on Mother’s Day either, and Esprit Maternity does it so well. You can’t go wrong with a great pair of maternity cargo pants ($109.95) for edgy pregnancy style, and we absolutely adore the Esprit Maternity Love Tee for $64.95. Queen Bee stocks a huge selection of Esprit Maternity.

A calming candle always gets my tick of approval for gift giving – and what mum-to-be wouldn’t love this gorgeous soy version – it smells like baby powder! Made from pure soy wax, the Mum To Be Baby Powder candle will burn for up to fifty hours. That lovely, fresh baby scent captured in a beautifully packaged candle costs $39.95, from Mum To Be.

Beautiful, stylish and practical – the Olli Ella Mo-Ma Glider is pretty much the bees knees when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts. Destined to become a family heirloom, the Mo-Ma Glider provides a comfy spot for pregnant women to wistfully dream of their future child. And of course, once the baby comes along, it’s the only place to feed and cuddle. Upholstered in stain-resistant microsuede and available in five delicious colours, the Mo-Ma Glider is $1599, from Olli Ella.

Pregnant women have plenty to deal with as their body changes over nine months, including the possibility of stretch marks. A little helping hand won’t go astray, particularly something that smells divine. Mum To Be Organic Stretch Mark Cream is aimed at smoothing and toning skin around the hips, thighs, buttocks and breasts. It contains all manner of delicious things like certified organic shea butter, jojoba oil and rosehip oil. It costs $39.95 and is available from Mum To Be.

Preparing for a new baby is daunting, so helping future mums to tick a few things off their list can be a sanity-saver. Baby bouncers have stood the test of time as a tried and true way to keep baby happy and occupied while mums and dads are busy with other things. And the BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft is a classic. It’s a cosy spot for baby to kick back and the gentle rocking motion created by the baby’s own movement is soothing. The bouncer retails for $199, and you can find a stockist near you at BabyBjorn.

One thing I wish I’d done while pregnant was keep a journal. Life goes so fast once babies are born that it’s difficult to remember those feelings of excitement and anticipation in the lead up to births. The Human Nature Nest Journal is a beautiful keepsake to gift to an expectant woman. It’s designed for recording and storing memories for children up to the age of five, so it’s a great pre-birth gift. It comes in a handy lever-arch folder which stores neatly on a baby bookcase for display. It costs $79.95 from Curly-Top Creations.

I can hand-on-my-heart say I wish someone had given me this book when I was pregnant with my first child. I blindly went into breastfeeding thinking of it as an innate action both my baby and I would take to like ducks to water. That’s very rarely the case, so a good dose of reality is one of the best gifts that can (lovingly) be given to a pregnant woman. Breastfeeding: Real Mums Tell You How is a wealth of practical advice, encouragement and support – without any guilt or pressure. It’s full of useful tips and stories from real mums. It costs $19.95, an e-book version is also available for US$7.99.

Giving this amazing carrier to a mum-to-be is like gifting her an extra set of hands. I can wax lyrical about the benefits of baby wearing, but suffice to say anything that can give a mother more freedom and child the comfort of being close to mum is a blessing. The Minimonkey Baby Carrier bears weight on the hips, back and abdomen, rather than the shoulders. And for the ultimate test of longevity, this carrier can be used for newborns, right up to children who weigh eighteen kilograms. It’s available from Kiekaboo for $129.95.

Comfort is paramount, both during and after pregnancy. This could possibly be the best combination of pre and post-pregnancy nightwear – the Sorella & Me Organic Nursing Nightie. The pleat detail means there’s plenty of room for belly growth, and the built-in bust support means there’s no need to wear a nursing bra to bed once baby is born. The nightie costs $89.95, from Sorella & Me.

A sturdy and stylish baby bag, which actually looks nothing like a baby bag, would surely be on the list of most pregnant women. Tribe Bags’ creations fit the bill perfectly, particularly the Orchard Tote. Creased patent leather means fashion isn’t compromised, while the deep interior filled with pockets makes it a functional bag once baby comes along. Available directly from Tribe Bags, the Orchard Tote costs SGD$549.

Swimming during pregnancy (be it indoors while the weather is cool) is not only fantastic exercise, but a great relief to tired feet. And if you can do it in style – more power to you! The Pez Dór Marine Lurex Stripe Swimsuit is just about the sweetest maternity wear for the water you’re likely to find. Oozing glamour and fully lined for comfort, the suit is available from Aqua Maternity for $120.

Dads-to-be take note: you simply cannot go wrong if you give the future mother of your child a beautiful yet practical gift for Mother’s Day. Case in point – an Il Tutto Nico Tote Berry. It both sounds and looks delicious! Totally rocking with its bright exterior, yet fully functional with a host of baby-related goodies inside, this bag will put a smile on the dial of just about any mum-to-be. Priced at $249, it’s available from Il Tutto.

Finally, a beautiful dress that can be worn pre and post pregnancy will be gladly received by a mum-to-be as a gift that keeps on giving. The Mesop Sahara Drawstring Dress is elegant and simple, with an empire waistline making it easily worn during and after pregnancy. As simple as it is, it’s also a statement piece, thanks to its beautiful hemline and drawstring neck detail. It’s available from Adore Maternity for $129.

Like most expectant parents, I was thrilled to bits with the blurry, black and white ultrasound snapshot (printed on flimsy paper) that the sonographer handed me at my twelve week scan. Of course, looking at that same picture now, I realise that we couldn’t really ‘see’ anything! How things have changed.

Three dimensional ultrasound images of your baby in utero are not new – the technology has been around for a number of years and a quick online search will lead you to dozens of 3D and 4D ultrasound services around Australia. However the pioneer of the 3D ultrasound technology, Dr Bernard Benoit of the Princess Grace Hospital, Monaco, has recently developed new 3D imaging software that shows the foetus in incredible detail.

The new software adds colour, skin texture, light and shadow to images, and most importantly allows doctors to detect and have a better understanding of any medical problems that may be present.

The images are remarkable, particularly the twins in their ‘top and bottom bunks’ and the detail in the images of early pregnancies.

So Babyologists, have you settled for the grainy black-and-white ultrasound snapshot or have you opted for a 3D or 4D scan?

(via The Guardian/ images via GE Healthcare)

There are so many pregnancy apps on the market but none that are quite as cute as this one. It’s simple, beautifully illustrated and has just one purpose; to tell you and your friends, if you choose, what type of fruit your growing bub is the same size as each week.

Cute Fruit gives you a new gorgeous illustration each week that you can share via Twitter and Facebook, it’s a nice change from the usual week by week pregnancy updates around. This sweet little app is available on all iDevices and is completely free from the App Store. As an added bonus, when your baby reaches the size of a watermelon there is an easy link you can use to jump over to their Due Contraction Timer app.

When my friend wanted to name her new baby daughter Bonnie, her husband wasn’t so keen. The reason? “You just can’t imagine a heart surgeon or a prime minister called Bonnie,” he said. Is there any truth to his words? I don’t know for sure, but I do know there’s an app with the answer!

The Nametrix app takes the name game one step further by giving parents-to-be some insight into their child’s future profession and personality. Search a name and the app matches it with likely professions, political parties and its popularity.

Naturally I searched for the names I’d given my own children first. I was a little perplexed to learn that more than five per cent of ‘sampled pirates are named Edward’, closely followed by environmentalists and horse trainers. My Edward isn’t showing any pirate tendencies but I’m quite sure he’d actually be thrilled by this information.

In contrast, the list of professions favoured by people named Patrick could have been written for my son – TV editor, stuntman, drummer, pilot, animator – who cares about ability, he would fancy himself in any of those roles!

Although the app was created using data generated in the US, I used the thoroughly Aussie name ‘Kylie’ as a litmus test and it’s safe to say that the app will hold up to whatever names Australian parents throw at it (the name Kylie peaked in 2003 and is most commonly found in the modelling profession). It’s also worth noting that there is a strong representation of jobs in the performing and visual arts (including strippers, so don’t be alarmed). I do wonder if the Nametrix crew took their samples in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

For the record, my friend did name her daughter Bonnie. According to Nametrix, Bonnie is a popular name for interior designers, clerical staff and nurses and happily also ranks for doctors and politicians!

Nametrix is available from iTunes for $0.99 – warning, this app is thoroughly addictive!

(via Mashable)

It’s time to go gaga over our favourite picks of the exhibitors from Playtime New York!

We here at Babyology fall easily in love with all things Scandinavian and these gorgeous blankets (seen top and below) from Fabulous Goose are no exception. The neutral earthy tones of the Softy Blankets are perfect for both boys and girls and I have no doubt they’d be perfect for snuggling in all winter long.

Matter Company is a Canadian skin care brand that knows the needs of mums and bubs. The range includes Nappy Rash Ointment, Baby Sun Care Stick, Herbal Sitz Bath, Nipple Creme and plenty more herbal preparations.

A For Apple completely hits the mark with a collection of fun cotton basics and edgy street wear (pictured above and below). Visit their new webstore to secure some fantastic winter pieces and see what’s heading our way for when the weather warms up!

Hailing from New Zealand is the ever funky clothing label Little Flock Of Horrors, specialising in all things Merino. Basics from leggings, swagger pants, dresses and tops are available – all fabulous for layering in the cooler weather.

I’m sure no one can resist a cute cuddly woodland critter and these from Hazel Village are made all the more special since each one is handmade from organic cotton.

Discover even more exhibitors over at Playtime New York or see our previous Playtime trade show coverage posts!

Make yourselves a cuppa and setttle in Babyologists while we take you through a few of our favourites from Playtime Tokyo!

Prepare to ooh and ahh upon setting your eyes on the sublime rain cloud mobiles from The Butter Flying. Mesmerising and deliciously cute, we predict these handcrafted mobiles will be snapped up quickly to dance in the open air of nurseries all over the globe.

Atlanta Mocassin has beautiful handmade shoes for the whole family. Perhaps the only brand we know of that creates gorgeous mocassin style shoes to fit babies all the way up to adult sizes. Just look at those colours – these shoes weren’t made for walking, they were made for celebrating!

We love the new prints from Seventy Tree – Big Panda and Big Fox are my hands down favourites and I know my Mister Six would love these friendly, quirky faces just as much as I do.

Pregnancy doesn’t mean your sense of style needs to do a back flip and the crew at Fragile are making it easier than ever to maintain your street-cred in maternity gear. Casual dresses, tees, pants and jumpsuits are aplenty.

Is it a toy or a pillow? Gabriella Pardo pillows are twice the fun – a comforting decor pillow by night and hours of rock star fun by day. Made from organic cotton and available in a myriad of colours, they’re sure to be loved by young divas and old rockers alike.

Practical needn’t mean boring and children will love to wear these animal bibs from Niva. Bring fun to the dining table with owls, bunnies, bats and foxes.

Accessories should never be underestimated and these beauties from Hug A Porcupine are simply divine. Origami style animal brooches (see the cat and rabbit above) are showcased in amazing detail and the rabbit is even available in necklace form.

For more trade show coverage, be sure to look back through our archives or hang tight for our Playtime New York coverage coming up next month.

We’re wrapping up our first week of Prizeapalooza with a post-pregnancy secret weapon – click through to find out how you can win.

Thanks to Vespa & The Ladybird we have a Post Pregnancy Recovery Belly Wrap Plush Dual Pack to give away, valued at $104.90.

Post pregnancy recovery belly wraps are a woman’s after birth secret helper. They can help in healing and recovery after pregnancy and beyond by flattening and firming new mums’ tummies. The Plush Dual Pack of wraps from Vespa & The Ladybird are made from the same body moulding lycra/polyester blend inner as the everyday classic range, but are fully covered and lined with soft bamboo.

It’s day four of Prizeapalooza!

Two lucky ladies will soon hold ‘em tight at night with Snug Jugs sleepwear. One lucky winner will be snug as a bug in a Snug Jugs Maternity Birdy gown and another will win a gorgeous Snug Jugs Original Peach gown, a prize pool worth $125.

Snug Jugs know exactly what a new and not-so-new mum wants – and that’s to keep everything where it should be all night long. Snug Jugs gowns are premium quality sleepwear offering amazing breast support in fun, bold prints and colours. Maternity Snug Jugs have a maternity clip bodice to allow for easy breastfeeding access.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post A Comment section, telling us which Snug Jugs gown you’d love to win from the prizes on offer, along with another style you covet from the Snug Jugs range. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 10 February, 2013.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

I don’t know about you but during the early days of breastfeeding  I was much more focused on keeping my tummy hidden than anything else. 

The Breastvest has just arrived in Australia from the UK and is a pretty great idea. The latest in breastfeeding innovation, this is an underwear item that turns any of your tops into breastfeeding tops. Basically it is a stretchy singlet with a neckline that hangs under the breasts so you wear it with a nursing bra and it gives you the freedom to lift whatever top you are wearing, unclip your bra and feed discreetly.

It’s machine washable, made from stretchy viscose and elastane, available in XS, S, M, L and XL and comes in black and white.

It will be available throughout Australia in selected chemists and baby stores soon but for now you can grab one at Mumma Loves Bubba for $29 with a flat shipping rate of $7.50.

Have you been longing for a designer baby bag without a hefty designer price tag? We’re excited to tell you, we’ve found just the bag!

European accessories company George Gina & Lucy have released a gorgeous line-up of affordable luxury bags that can easily transform from baby bag to regular large handbag or an overnighter all with a swift shift of contents!

A nylon bag means your shoulders won’t be in need of a deep tissue massage when fully loaded with baby paraphernalia as nylon is naturally lighter than leather. The George Gina & Lucy Nylon Baby bag is priced $229 and available in a whole array of amazing bright colours with intriguing names including King Kong (black), flamingo (pink) and Peak-Ok (aqua green), just to name a few.

Organising all that you need can’t get any easier, with a bounty of compartments and pockets with nylon zips. Each bag comes with a coordinating padded change mat and is packaged in pristine fashion in a gorgeous gift box.

George Gina & Lucy bags are available online from Laila.

Last year we introduced you to Milkmakers, the lactation cookie. The cookies contain key ingredients including oats, brewer’s yeast and flax seed, which have been shown to provide nutrients that benefit the health of both breastfeeding mothers and their babies, as well as essential fatty acids, fibre, protein and iron.

When we first discovered Milkmakers, we all agreed that eating biscuits and breastfeeding were compatible activities – not necessarily to be done at the same time (excuse me bub, there’s a few crumbs on your head) but breastfeeding is demanding on your body and you have to feed it right in order to feed right.

Alas, Milkmakers is a US company and while their monthly ‘cookie subscription’ and new individually wrapped cookies for mums on-the-go are a terrific idea for breastfeeding mums, there’s no shipping to Australia. But breastfeeding mothers looking for a biscuit fix needn’t worry! Our previous post alerted us to Australian-based Boobie Bikkies.

Boobie Bikkies are made by author and lactation consultant Pinky McKay. Combining ‘ancient wisdom and modern science’, the biscuits are made from all natural and organic ingredients that nourish your nervous system and your baby’s ( helping you both to feel calmer). They’re rich in wholegrains, protein, B vitamins, minerals, iron and Omega 3 essential fatty acids and are formulated to boost your energy and encourage a healthy milk supply.

Boobie Bikkies are individually wrapped (throw a couple in the nappy bag for a snack on-the-go) and are available in two flavours – Organic Oat and Vanilla flavour or Organic Oat, Orange and Cinnamon flavour. You can buy them by the carton (ten biscuits for $24.95) or enjoy a monthly subscription (five cartons delivered each month for $88 plus postage). Boobie Bikkies are available online or from selected stockists.

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding and looking for something spectacular to wear to your Christmas events? Today’s the Prizeapalooza for you.

Christmas may well be about the birth of a baby, but being pregnant at Christmas time can still be not much fun. After all, it’s so hot – not the ideal environment for the heavily pregnant or anybody nursing a sticky and sweaty newborn! Add the pressure to look good at all the parties and meals you have hopefully been invited to, and it can feel a bit overwhelming.

The solution is upon us with Prizeapalooza day thirty-eight. Maternity and nursing fashion specialist Mamaway is giving today’s winner the stunning Cleopatra dress (pictured above), which comes in two colours. It’s sure to remove any fashion concerns from your Christmas.

It’s a two-part prize, and the second part is much less glamorous, but no less necessary – breast pads, and plenty of them! The winner will also take home two packs of disposable breast pads as part of their prize. The total prize value is $104.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section, telling us which colour Cleopatra dress you would choose, as well as which one other item from Mamaway would make your Christmas a bit more jolly. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 14 December, 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

If there is any sound in the world that is sweeter than a heartbeat in utero then I am yet to hear it.

We frame pictures of ultrasounds, save curls from first haircuts, take little handprints and now there is one more way to make baby memories. Heartbeat music. Lullabeats is a company that makes music with your baby’s heartbeat and it’s actually pretty sweet.

The company is owned and operated by musician Vince Madison and obstetrician Sonya Erickson. Basically how it works is this. When you’re at an obstetrician appointment, use your iPhone or another recording device to record the sound of your baby’s heartbeat and then send off the audio file to Lullabeats. They put it to original music and have it back to you within three weeks.

Strange as the concept is, listening to the mixture of new-age relaxation music and a tiny heartbeat brought a smile to my face. This would be great as a birthing soundtrack or a sleep time lullaby for a newborn. CDs start at US$99 and Lullabeats ships internationally.

Calling all brand-new and expectant mums – we’ve got a winning nursery package for you on day twenty-four of Babyology’s Prizeapalooza!

Tommee Tippee have put together an incredible prize package valued at $390.95, brimming with Miomee nursery essentials. One lucky winner will be taking home a Miomee Single Electric Breast Pump, a two-pack of Miomee Bottles, disposable breast pads, Miomee Milk Storage Lids, a bath thermometer, an insulated bottle bag, a Miomee Room Thermometer and a Miomee First Drinking Cup. Wow!

Miomee is the brand new range from Tommee Tippee. It has been developed in conjunction with biomedical engineers, paediatricians, midwives and mothers to support baby’s development. Coupled with sleek styling, the range offers complete feeding gear for all ages and stages.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us which piece in the Miomee range you’re desperate to own and why. You have seven days and entries close midnight, November 30, 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Breathe a sigh of relief ladies – Snug Jugs has it all under control, and by it, I mean your bosom.

Created by a Brisbane mum, Snug Jugs is a range of sleepwear that true to its name, provides much needed breast support and fosters a comfy breastfeeding experience. No more wearing heavy duty bras to bed and no more losing breast pads in the bed sheets – both your tatas and your breast pads are right where you left them when wearing Snug Jugs!

I love that Snug Jugs use a stretch cotton for the bodice of their nighties, so they’re deliciously comfortable to sleep in and give your breasts the support they require. The cotton skirt is cut nice and full to accommodate growing bumps. As a bonus if early morning visitors pop by, the colourful fun prints on offer mean you could get away with wearing your nightie as daywear and no one need know apart from yourself and us!

Snug Jugs are available in two styles – Maternity Snug Jugs ($65), with a nursing clip bodice for easy breastfeeding or Original Snug Jugs ($60)  for those just looking for a comfortable nightie!

Pregnant? A kaftan is your friend.

I don’t know about you but at a certain stage in my pregnancies, I couldn’t stand clothing that was too tight or fitted. Instead, I went for plain singlets under floaty tops – comfort and style!

Which is why you’ll want the Riviera Maternity Kaftan from Soon Maternity in your wardrobe. The relaxed, long-line fit and three-quarter sleeves will take you from season to season and from casual to dressier looks. Wear it as a cover-up at the beach or team it with a singlet top and leggings for casual summer style.

Also take a peek at Soon Maternity’s other easy summer styles – there’s a great range of tank dresses from designers Sienna and Celina and the versatile Maternity Shirt Dress by Agnes (available in black, white and summer’s hottest colour, coral). I’m also quite sure that the simple Ella Jersey Maternity Tunic will become one of those essential maternity pieces that you find yourself putting on all the time, for any occasion (shown at bottom).

The Riviera Maternity Kaftan is $109.95 and the Agnes Maternity Dress Shirt is $129.95. Both are available online at Soon Maternity.

We’re fast approaching that most wonderful time of year, Christmas. There’s the anticipation of a beautiful celebration with family and friends, and of course the challenge of finding just the right gifts. We’ve spent hours pouring over dozens of fabulous finds for the family. Today we’re unwrapping the first offering in our annual Christmas Gift Guides with some sublime ideas for expectant mums. So grab a cuppa and your Christmas list, and let’s get cracking!

This is one gift that will keep on giving – for six months! Sticky Bellies Pregnancy Milestone Stickers are a clever way to keep a photographic record of a pregnancy. The maternity pack includes stickers to mark significant pregnancy milestones between twelve and forty weeks, and can be reused and repositioned. They cost $20 for a twelve pack of stickers and are available from Aussie Bubs.

If you’re expecting during the holiday season, there’s little doubt that a pram will be on your Christmas wishlist. And a Rozibaby would take the cake! It’s a true stayer when it comes to prams, able to be adapted and styled to grow with your child. Its modular style makes it an absolute cinch to personalise. The price of the Rozibaby depends on which options are chosen, but prams start at $665, and are available directly from Rozibaby.

A pregnancy Christmas Gift Guide is not complete without a pregnancy fashion option from maternity wear matriarchs, Queen Bee. This pretty purple number is a simple yet sophisticated – a go-to for those end-of-year functions. The Trimester Kahlo Open Shoulder Dress is $89.95 from Queen Bee, and comes in sizes eight through to sixteen.

Unwrapping a Tribe bag will make any pregnant woman feel like all of her Christmases have come at once! The creased patent leather of the Orchard Tote ensures a sturdy yet fashionable bag to last through many years of child rearing. And the best part is it looks nothing like a nappy bag, so there’s no need to part with it once you’re no longer lugging baby paraphernalia. And while mum-to-be is still awaiting the new arrival, it can easily pass as a work bag. The Orchard Tote is available in midnight with either gold or silver hardware, for SGD$549.

If you want a guaranteed wow-factor present for a very deserving mum-to-be, Total Bag Envy have some real show stoppers. The Tempt Nappy Bag in tan is a fashion accessory that just so happens to be a nappy bag. It has all the bells and whistles expected of a modern nappy bag (including the all-important detachable shoulder/pram strap) , with all the sophistication of a wardrobe staple. It’s $149.95, and available directly from Total Bag Envy.

If the expectant mother you’re buying for is one who likes to stand out from the crowd, get a load of Total Bag Envy Lust Nappy Bag in fabulous cobalt blue. Just amazing! It’s the ultimate mummy accessory for summer colour blocking, and will keep all necessary baby items in check. And this is most certainly a bag which will live on well beyond the baby days. It’s $99.95, and can be purchased from Total Bag Envy.

If you’d love to give any parents-to-be a helping hand, give them a BabyBjorn carrier! The new kid on the block is the Baby Carrier Miracle, which gives the perfect amount of back support whilst toting tots. And if you’re keen to keep cool while carrying baby during an Aussie summer, the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Miracle Airy Mesh is the bomb! It’s $229.95 from selected stockist which can be found at BabyBjorn.

Here’s one gift for soon-to-be mums that will have everyone oohing and ahhing on Christmas day. A scrumptious Bebelicious Moses Basket. The sweet and simple design is reminiscent of beautiful baby sleeping spaces of yesteryear. And you simply can’t go wrong with the Vanilla Cream six piece designer set, which will complement any decor. For $199 the set comes with the Moses basket, reversible liner, fitted sheet, flat sheet, mattress and soft bamboo fleece blanket. Available directly from Bebelicious.

It’s a traditional gift that always pleases – every new pregnancy should be heralded with the giving of a baby record book. But, A Book About Me isn’t just any baby record book – it’s THE baby record book! It’s stylish, practical and easy to use, so each little moment can be noted and kept forever. It’s gender-neutral, making it the perfect addition to any Christmas stocking for parents-to-be. It’s $44.95 from Milestone Press. Another great option is The Masterplan Family Diary (below). It makes family organisation just that little bit easier – a secret weapon to running a smooth household, if you will! It’s also available from Milestone Press, and costs $35.95.

A gift that will become a treasured piece of family literature is the Mother’s Journal Gift Set. It contains an Expectant Mother’s Journal and a New Mother’s Journal. The Expectant journal allows a mum-to-be to keep a record of her health and pregnancy observations. It also has loads of other handy sections, like a healthy eating reminder. Once baby arrives, the New Mother’s Journal takes over. Many of us are aware of how muddled life becomes as a new mother, so this is one way to keep track of all the changes in a new mum’s life. And what an amazing legacy to look back on – particularly handy for any subsequent pregnancies. The Mother’s Journal Gift Set is $26.95 from Mumentum.

While the gift of blissful nights may not be something that’s readily manufactured by Santa’s elves, as parents we know there are some things which certainly aid babies to sleep a little more peacefully. So pass on your knowledge and a swaddle to any parent-to-be and they will be thanking you once baby arrives. The Love To Swaddle Up is an innovative swaddle that allows babies to sleep with their arms up. And more importantly for new parents, there’s no need to learn complicated swaddling techniques, the Love To Swaddle Up is a breeze to use. It costs $39.95 and can be purchased from Love To Dream.

Here’s a transition piece perfect for an expectant mum who’s keen to get plenty of use out of her maternity pieces. The Sorella & Me Nursing Cami does away with the need to wear a maternity bra to bed. This nursing top keeps the bust well supported, both pre and post partum. The drop cups allow for easy access when feeding and the soft organic cotton makes it super comfy to wear. And it just happens to look beautiful, particularly in the subtle Evening Sky colour. The Nursing Cami is $69.95 and comes in sizes small through to extra large, from Sorella & Me.

If you’re searching for something to suit a woman during any stage of pregnancy, we may just have found the perfect gift. The Mamaway Sweetheart Belted Maternity and Breastfeeding Dress should be part of any pregnancy wardrobe. It ticks all of the boxes when it comes to maternity clothing – it’s comfortable, versatile and stylish. But it has a host of other features which extend its life, including a pull-aside opening for feeding. The belt can be worn in different ways and you can team this dress with leggings or jeans to give it a whole new look. It comes in three colours, in extra small through to extra large. It costs $64.95 from Mamaway.

I love having something new to wear on Christmas Day, and this would be a top pick to grace any beautiful baby bump. The Ella Jersey Maternity Tunic is just divine and the perfect pregnancy outfit for a hot Aussie summer. The lovely loose fit and lightweight knit jersey is comfortable when you’re feeling decidedly uncomfortable. It’s also incredibly versatile – wear it as is, with shorts or leggings. Dress it up with strappy heels or go casual with ballet flats. The tunic comes in three colours, in sizes extra small through to extra extra large, for $69.95. It’s available from the beautiful virtual shelves of Soon Maternity.

And finally, here’s an amazing gift idea for new mums. While not maternity swimwear, these are ideal for any new mum who may be a little conscious of what’s going on down south after having a baby. Any piece of Sirens Swimwear is a work of art – a retro moment in time. The New Classic is flattering and fun, and is suitable for women with large or small busts. It gives good coverage and looks fabulous. It’s the ultimate gift for a beach-lover who will be super keen to hit the sand, with a beautiful new baby to show off. The New Classic is $199, and available in three colour options, in sizes eight to eighteen, directly from Sirens Swimwear.

We have more incredible Christmas Gift Guides headed your way for kids of all ages, as well as stocking stuffers and decor, so stay tuned!