Bristol News

Chopsy Baby is reviewing… The Baby Show at Earls Court 2011

Friday 28 October 2011

The Baby Show, is the largest UK consumer exhibition show dedicated to the maternity and baby market. This October, the show was at Earls Court in London. A huge, centrally located exhibition centre with easy access and spacious layout – ideal for buggy pushing parents laden with shopping bags.

The show plays host to some of the biggest brands on the parenting market – Britax, Fisher-Price, Mothercare, and usually small boutiques and unusual gift stalls.

This year, the show seemed a little more austere, mainly attended by the regulars and big brands. There seemed to be fewer stalls selling quirky and interesting items and gifts. Perhaps this is indicative of the gloomy financial situation small businesses and parents are finding themselves falling into.

But as a means of getting your hands on products, testing out pushchairs and examining cots, this try before you buy show is essential for parents looking to make big purchases on the right items.

As well as the opportunity to test, shop and browse with special on the day discounts, there are fashion shows, demonstrations and guest speakers appearing throughout the weekend.

On the Friday, families were treated to baby nutrition expert Annabel Karmel, sensible breastfeeding expert Clare Byam-Cook and author Alison Scott-Wright giving advice on reflux in babies.

Our favourite stalls included:

Memories & Lace create beautiful montages of photographs, small items and memories in lovingly decorated frames. www.memoriesandlace.co.uk

MabyLand baby carriers have been designed by mother Sheena Woods for urban parents to carry their young babies around the city in style and comfort. www.mabyland.com

Nottingham family run business Poppet, were displaying their lovely rompers for babies aged 0 – 18 months. www.poppet.co

The Lights Out Portable Blackout Blind is an essential item for parents struggling to keep light out of a baby’s bedroom. Pops up and down flat in seconds making it easy to transport. www.lightsoutblinds.com

Mama Jeanius maternity jeans come in three different styles to suit every growing bump. Lovely quality and nice fits. www.mamajeanius.com

The wonderfully useful Brolly Sheets, have now launched a new woolly cot protector. It is designed to absorb moisture and protect the mattress from stains and dampness. Their Brolly Sheets are also essential for potty training. www.brollysheets.co.uk

My BabyLog create beautiful Memory Chests to keep special keepsakes safe. They also sell the no nonsense inkless hand or footprint kits. www.mybabylog.co.uk

happyhands reproduce your baby’s hand or footprint on tiles, mugs and cards by using a simple inkless print kit. www.happyhands.co.uk

Calm Stars are clever little birthing grips for labouring mothers to squeeze and release www.calmstars.com

Perhaps the most impressive product displayed at Earls Court was the Shanticot. Created by The Bunk Cot Company, this amazing cot is the only bunk bed cot on the market. Whilst at first glance it can look a little odd, for families struggling to fit bedding solutions into cramped flats and small houses, this product is perfect. The Convertible Shanticot is suitable for two children from birth to six years of age. www.shanticot.co.uk

The next Baby Show will be taking place at Excel London 24-26 February 2012

www.thebabyshow.co.uk