THE HANKERER

I’m at the age where lots of friends are having their first babies and really it’s all the excuse I need to look at cute baby pressies. There are so many more gorgeous things available than when I had my little bundle of joy fourteen years ago.

This car seat cover solves the question of whether to put a snowsuit on baby who ends up being a bit squashed in the car seat with all the extra fabric, or tuck a blanket round him which inevitably gets kicked off en route to the car. A fantastic idea in some sweet designs or custom made if coordination is your thing. They are by Sophiemarie for around £30.

Spots and Dots for Tots make some gorgeous baby blankets that can be personalised for baby and feature members of baby’s family, there are several different sizes and styles available from £22.50 up to £75 for this ‘My Family’ design.

Sirbubbadoo’s baby burp cloths are 100% cotton with a design on one side and soft raised dots on the other and could be used as a baby changing mat or dribble cloth. This set of two Matryoshka design burp cloths are £12. They also do bibs and blankets in some lovely unusual designs.

Baby changing bags are often really babyish looking, the designers seem to design them with the baby in mind and forget it’s the parents who actually use them. I think Graham and Green’s stag print changing bag is neither too babyish nor too girly and would probably get the thumbs up from mum, dad and baby.

This sleep thief romper is very sweet and will raise a weary smile from knackered new parents. For the really sleep deprived it is also available as a gift pack with a coordinating sleep mask for mum or dad. Babes and Babies also has a good range of breastfeeding tops and although they’re fairly pricey you can often snap up a bargain in their sales.

Almost makes you want your own doesn’t it?