Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting time for all those involved. It brings people together with baby showers and emotional first meetings, and there’s nothing like a thoughtful gift to show your love and support for both the parents and the new child.

Sometimes, deciding which gift to buy a new baby can be tough. You want to make sure your gift is useful, adorable, and also memorable. So where should you start?

Here are five tips for choosing the perfect gift.

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For many babies and toddlers, the security blanket or "blankie" is an essential part of childhood. This cuddly and much-loved item has also saved many a parent from sleepless nights or stress-filled outings.

There is something very endearing about seeing a small child or baby clutching their blankie. The image is not only cute, but it brings to mind snuggly, sleepy children and a peaceful break for a tired mum.

During a child's early years, the security blanket almost seems to be part of the family. Packing the nappy bag for an outing? Into the bag must go the snacks, water, baby rattle, bib, nappies, wet wipes.... and blankie!

Personifying their blankie increases a child’s attachment to it. With a name and personality, the blankie becomes as real as any of their friends. A little person asking for “Dashie” or “Banjo” so that they can take a nap is one of the sweetest things you can hear.

A security blanket is a comforter for the child and an assurance to the parents that, once the blanket is in hand, their baby will soon be napping. Here, we look at how to introduce a blanket to your baby.

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In the heart of Manly, a beach side suburb in Sydney, Australia you’ll find Bambino Manly, a gorgeous store packed full of unique goodies for kids and babies (including our Kippins)! We talked to Bambino’s owner, Susan, about her passion for discovering stunning products with a focus on keeping our planet happy for the next generation.

Tell us how you got started.

I have run a traditional toy store in Freshwater (Wonders Toy Shop) for over 6 years, but overtime I realised my real passion was for developmental, educational, ethically made and natural material toys for babies and toddlers (0-5y) I found a beautiful location on Sydney Rd, 2 mins from Manly Beach! So Bambino Manly was born. Bambino Manly - shop for little ones offers only the safest (like organic cotton) and most beautiful wooden and, ethical playthings for preschoolers. I basically run the business myself, however I do have lovely, friendly and helpful staff who also work in the store, including my gorgeous daughter. 

Describe your store in three words.

Beautiful, Welcoming, Eco-friendly

If you were a Kippin, which one would you be and why?

I would be Luna Mouse - I am a night person and love the moon and stars. I love Luna’s happy face, her colours and her heart-shaped nose. 

How do you choose the brands you have in store?

I prioritise Australian owned, ethical companies who focus on care for the environment, ethics in production, fair trade, quality materials, workers human rights and children’s safety. Organic and natural materials. Well designed products that are beautiful (or cute), educational and practical.

What’s been the best part about opening your store?

Being able to offer high quality and beautiful playthings for the most precious people - our babies and children. To offer caring parents and grandparents gorgeous alternatives to plastic, and battery run/computer or electronic toys.

What kids trends are you loving at the moment?

Loving the modern mum’s embrace of hand-made wooden toys and natural materials such as wool & organic cotton for their bub.

Tell me what your suburb is like in three words.

Manly is: Beachy, Fun, Cosmopolitan

What are people really into right now?

I think finally recognising how disastrous the effect of plastic and plastic toys are on the planet their children will inherit. And understanding the high cost of cheap products and realising it is better to have a few quality things than a floor full of cheap and nasties.

You can find a huge selections of Kippins goodies in store at Bambino right now, including our Cuddle Blankies and Rattles. Find Bambino on facebook or visit the shop:

Bambino Manly 
39 Sydney Rd 
Manly NSW 2095 
Australia 

"With a little Kippins friend, you don’t have to choose between a teether, a rattle or a soft toy as you get all three, in one beautifully made product."

Read the full review of our multi-purpose organic Kiplet baby rattles by Dubai based blogger Three to Try here.

Our rattles come in ten Kippiny styles and are the perfect way for your baby to explore sound, texture and practice those gross motor skills, while being completely gentle on their skin and safe to chew. 

There was no doubt, says Melody, that a Luna Kippin themed birthday party was on the cards when her gorgeous daughter, Chloe, turned one.

"She honestly carries Luna everywhere," says Melody. "Little does she know that there are three of them that we constantly have on rotation!"

Starting with the invitations, the entire party was themed with our little moon mouse, with cupcake toppers, party favours and other Luna inspired decorations designed by Debra Bond Designs.

And can we take a minute for that cake? We just loved seeing Luna coming to life in edible form!

Actually, there were two gorgeous Luna Kippin parties for Chloe! With family interstate, Melody and her husband, Ken, made it double the fun!

To honour Luna and Chloe's very special friendship, Melody and Ken made a "Luna and Chloe" wall, sharing photos of all of the adventures they've shared together!

Luna is one lucky little mouse to have a special friend like Chloe! And yep, we're pretty much in tears over such a special event (x 2) featuring one of our Kippiny friends. 

You can find all things Luna and read her KippinTale here, she really is a very special mouse.

Sometimes a few simple adjustments can make a huge difference to getting a better night's sleep. The Gentle Sleep Specialist has shared her top 5 tips for baby sleep on her blog (Spoiler alert: Kippins Cuddle Blankies made the cut). 

Image via @clark.is.king on instagram

Baby on the way? Chances are you're heading headfirst down the rabbit hole that is parenting advice!

Unsurprisingly, one of the most researched topics when it comes to babies is sleep (I mean, who doesn’t love sleep?). And we bet that everyone has an opinion on how you’re going to get your baby to sleep (and have them stay that way).

That advice can be maddeningly confusing. Ultimately, you'll need to do your homework, discuss the issues with your family, and make your own decision.

Wondering about the benefits of baby swaddle blankets? Here's all the information you need!

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As parents, we know that versatility is the name of the game.

There’s only so much room in baby's bag, so every little pocket of space counts.

That's why we call the muslin wrap a lifesaver! It's compact, soft, durable, easy to clean and useful for pretty much EVERYTHING!

Here’s our round up of 7 of the top uses for muslin wraps.

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Do you think your baby might be teething? 

This can be a challenging time for both you and your baby. 

If your baby isn't sleeping, that means you aren't sleeping. But there are ways to get some relief!

You may have already considered giving your baby something to ease the symptoms during this time. 

But did you know there are natural teething toys available?

Let's take a look:

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Most parents love spending quality time with their babies and want to cherish every precious moment.

There are also times when even the most committed of parents start to feel exhausted. When babies have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night, it can take a toll on the entire family.

Parents and siblings can start to suffer negative effects from sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can also impact the baby’s physical, emotional, and mental development. It’s important for parents to address sleep issues as soon as possible.

A small blanket or soft toy with a blanket, also known as a baby comforter, can settle your baby and help to teach positive sleeping habits. 

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