Disclosure: I was given a free press pass to attend The Baby Show & Fisher-Price invited us to attend the product launch of the First Steps Jumperoo, with a thank you for attending in the form of a fun toy.
Today we got up early and headed to the Baby Show at the NEC in Birmingham. We live locally so it wasn’t too far for us to travel, and I met up with Alys, a friend of mine (and her adorable 11 week old baby boy Elliot), on the train. It was Alys’s first time at the Baby Show so we had lots of fun showing her around.
We arrived for the start of the show and began our day by having a wander around the stalls a bit. It was great to get there before the crowds built up – Georgie headed straight for the toys on the Fisher-Price stand and had to be persuaded away!
I wanted to buy a new Ewan snuggly for Lydia after we misplaced her “going out” one at Hatton adventure farm recently, and it was lovely to catch up with Lynda on the Sweet Dreamers stall. Ewan the Dream Sheep is the number one thing I recommend to new parents and they are offering a fab discount of £5 off the big Ewan, and £3 off the snuggly version that Lydia loves so much. We got a sneak peek at the new Russell dog too, and
We had a quick stop at the Happy Hopperz stand (the first of a few visits!) so that Georgie and Lydia could have a good bounce on the fun inflatable animals. We have one of their blue dogs at home and the girls love to play on it, so a whole stand full of them was a bit of a dream come true!
Next up was the Fisher-Price stand to take a look at their new First Steps Jumperoo. 10 years ago Fisher-Price created the “free standing jumper” and now they have created a new version that allows your child to take a few steps whilst in the seat. The new Jumperoo is on an extendable frame which allows your child to move forward & back – giving them more freedom of movement whilst still being a safe and secure place to play. We really loved both of our Jumperoos and this new one looks great too. In it’s extended form it does take up a lot of floor space, but it’s about the same as the other Jumperoos when non extended.
I’m not keen on the baby walkers that allow your child to propel themselves around the house – both from a safety point of view, and due to concerns about development, but this new Jumperoo seems like a great compromise. Your child gets to take some steps with the extra support, without the fear of them being in it and being able to get around in it so much causing delayed development etc. Lydia had a go in the new style Jumperoo and really enjoyed herself. There is plenty to play with and lots of stimulus for your baby, I think it is definitely going to be a big hit!
Elliot had a go in one of the Fisher-Price bouncers and seemed to really enjoy it, which was great. Georgie entertained herself quite happily in the play area there, giving a chance for Alys to chill out for a minute. My little train mad child was entranced by the Thomas & Friends range they had on show.
Verbaudet have a stand at the show, and are offering free face painting between 11am and 1pm each day. Georgie requested a butterfly in green and orange – not the most common colour choice, possibly, but she looked lovely! While she was sitting having her face painted I was admiring the many beautiful clothes and other things they had on the stand – Vertbaudet stuff is just gorgeous. They have a competition to win £250 to spend with them too, so fingers crossed on that one!
Once Georgie’s face had been painted it was time for some serious shopping and chatting! We popped to Funky Giraffe Bib so that Alys could buy some bibs at their great show prices, and I could chat to them – they very kindly gave me a beautiful super soft blanket for my brother’s new baby boy when they heard I had a new nephew! It is just gorgeous. Georgie was very taken with their big giraffes, of course.
I fell a little bit in love with the Sweet Art hand painted murals, Alys picked up a gorgeous Pink Lining bag at a bargain price on the Mummy & Little Me stand, and we both admired (but just about managed to resist) the lovely Melobaby Nappy Wallet for easy nappy changing on the go.
Bramble Rose had a rather sweet selection of products for sale, and I bought Georgie her very own umbrella – really cute, with ladybirds on. I absolutely loved their pettiskirt tutus, and the bags they had on offer were incredibly difficult to leave on the stand – lots of temptation on that particular stand!
Alys and I spent a good deal of time on the Cheeky Rascals stand, with Alys browsing the various baby carriers on offer, eventually buying a Manduca Standard Carrier which I am feeling very envious about – with a £10 show discount, too! Georgie chose a blue My Carry Potty to use when out and about, or at home too if she likes, and she is very pleased with it. I paid £20 which is a nice £5 discount off the RRP, fab stuff.
Georgie and Lydia tested out plenty of toys during the day – Vtech, Chicco and Fisher-Price all have small play areas on their stands with good selections of products to enjoy.
It was a long and tiring day, but great fun. It was great to see so many other bloggers and chat to the brands I have worked with in the past, and would like to work with in the future. I definitely recommend visiting The Baby Show to anyone with a baby on the way, or a young baby or toddler. Georgie decided to hitch a ride with her little sister to the train, although she didn’t actually admit she was tired – Lydia just wanted a cuddle!
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