Mummy knows best: Kids products and activities reviewed by moms in Indian cities

Entries in baby accessories (4)

Thu, February 18

10:18AM

Ask the Mums: Reader Query

Cribs made of “real” wood

Hello Mummies

Where can one find a good crib, made of real wood - one with wheels and locks (indeed!) readily available locally ? I’ve checked out the local Mothercare and Mom&Me type stores, but everything they have is made of compressed wood, and rather flimsy. Is my only alternative to go the route of getting one customized?

Kusum

Hi Kusum

There are a couple of places you can try out. Maya Organics carries the Napster (Rs.14, 170 with 20% discount) pictured here. The base is rubber wood and the top is PIne which comes stained in the blue-green shade. They also carry a few other models, Snug (Rs.15,740) and Rockeby (Rs.12,130) - all are pretty basic though, no wheels, locks etc.

Maya Organics, #15, Bannerghatta Road, JP Nagar III Phase. Ph: +91-80-26580511. Opposite Shoppers Stop.

Just Born has cribs made of Malaysian rubber wood ranging from Rs.8000 - Rs.12, 000. They can be used from 0 - 5 yrs. and come with adjustable frames, locks, wheels and other accessories.

Just Born, 9, Millers Road, Off Cunningham Road, Ph : 91 80 2225 8294.

MotherCare and Mom & Me have some cribs in Pine

wood, did you look at those? Another option to think about is using a bassinet or a portable carrycot for the initial months and then switching to a baby cot like the Nester (Rs.8730, pic below) From Maya Organics.

I, personally, went this route as the

bassinet was right on the bed next to me and I didn’t have to get up out of bed each time for those innumerable midnight feedings. Another advantage is the bassinets are portable, so its great for traveling with an infant. Again, Mom & Me has some nice bassinet options and MotherCare keep Moses baskets which are quite charming.

If you were thinking of customising, check out Lil Carpenter. They do cribs to your specifications using wood of your choice.

Baby Basics

Kids Rooms

Mom-to-be

Nisha |

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Mon, July 27

3:00PM

'Horseshoe' Comfort

A Pillow that adds comfort to ‘feeding’ time

I personally thank ‘globalization’ for very small things, small to the general populace but huge to new moms like me. I thank it for Avent bottles, low cost diapers, organic products and ‘feeding cushions’. I am serious, no one thought of them before an obscure store in Greater Kailash market started importing them from Singapore. I didn’t even know they existed till I saw them there. It’s such a shame that lead doused toys reach us before basic practical comforts. The product I am talking about is a sweet invention called a ‘feeding pillow’. It is a horseshoe shaped cushion that goes around a mom’s middle and is wide enough to hold an infant while he/she feeds. The comfort lies in the fact that the cushion takes the weight of the baby and not your arm/s. Believe me once the baby is older and feeds longer the true value of this wonderful contraption is fully understood. We have all tried to fashion home pillows and cushions into makeshift baby supports but the unique horseshoe shape of this cushion makes all the difference.

It can also be used to prop up a baby that is learning to sit up. The curved part of the cushion bears all the weight instead of the spine and baby gets a new perspective of his/her surroundings. Propping babies is a good way to encourage sitting up. A lot of local baby stores are now retailing Indian made versions of feeding pillows but if you are almost there and need one now, check out this page on Ebay.in or here’s another one for a better price Timesmultimedia.com. Add this to your ‘baby essentials’ list, believe me you are going to need it and love it.

‘Feeding pillows’ are available at all Lifestyle, Mothercare, Adams Kids and Shoppers Stop stores across the country. The prices range from Rs. 999-1,999. Check the links above for online purchase.

Baby Basics

Mom-to-be

Parul |

Young guys who could teach a new mum a thing or two about baby stuff

The ultimate baby shop!

You have just announced ‘the good news’ and are being bombarded with unsolicited advice. Information overload and how! Fear not however, you shall soon learn how to deal with it and some tips may actually be useful.

I remember being paranoid about my ‘to buy before baby arrives’ list. So we went to the large baby stores and were confronted with 4-page list of things we had to buy. The first trip was futile and exasperating. After the initial panic settled, we realised the basics need to be covered – this child needs to be fed, kept warm, dry and be loved. So don’t let the master marketeers feed on your naivety - just think, plan and then head out.
A few of my colleagues pointed me in the direction of a little store named Al Burhan in Bandra bazaar. It is owned by the Golwala family and the affable sons, Huzefa & Khuzeima run this baby store that stocks everything: jablas, nappy cloth squares, liners, diapers of every brand, bottles, socks, caps, wrappers and more.

They home-deliver and also have the best rates in the city for imported Pampers. A unique feature is the take back or buy back of liners or diapers – even opened packets. Mr. Golwala senior even organises great short, cotton feeding night dresses that won’t remind you of your great grand mother.

Don’t expect any frills at this small, non air conditioned shop but do expect to browse through a large collection of baby wear and requirements at unbeatable prices and be amused when the 21 year old Huzefa teaches you the nappy cloth folds!

P.s. Write to me if you want to see my final ‘to buy before baby arrives’ list.

Al Burhan Collections, 96, Bazar Rd, Bandra, Mumbai 50.
Tel: 65167576, 9892918061 / 9870200272.
Timings: 9 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm. Sunday shut.

Baby Basics

Mumbai

Priya |

Delhi + NCR: Kids Rooms

The Perfect Little Room

Most kids have their own room despite the fact that they bunk with their folks for what feels like forever! That’s the case with us by the way. The nursery happened before the baby did and hunting for stuff to accessorize it with was a journey that I am still on, it’s been four years! Since we weren’t aware of stores that stocked everything we needed under one roof and were budget priced, we customized the furniture with a local carpenter and decided to do the drapes, linen, bedding and accessories the traditional retail way.

After much reconnaissance we zeroed in on ‘Kids At Home’. The husband fell in love with everything he saw but I was quite definite about what we needed and what we could spend. They stock everything from bedding to customized throw cushions. The accessories include table lamps and baby gift sets and the linen is adorned with sporty and funky prints rather than cartoon characters.

They have a small maternity wear selection and this is a good place to pick up a feeding pillow, swaddles, crib sets and rugs. My personal favourites are the super soft comforters and towels. Find them at –

Shop No: N-11,
Greater Kailash Market,
New Delhi - 110 048,
Phone- +91 11 4143 3310

Baby Shop - Fortis La Femme
S-549, Greater Kailash Part-II
New Delhi-110 048
Phone: +91 11 4058 7901

(Open from 11 am - 8 pm)