Essentials.

I've always been a handbag lady and generally the bigger the better. I also spent five years working for Oroton so my collection at one stage was completely out of control. I moved out of home leaving a suitcase of handbags and four years later Mum finally said "do you even remember you have these?" 

So one of my big things pre-baby was getting a baby bag that still felt like me at the end of the day and not carrying around something that felt baby or childish. 

I went with the Longchamp Le Pliage in all black, which is great when hubby needs to carry it to and post baby I still have a really nice bag. I found I didn't need all the compartments and pockets and that way it never really feels like a nappy bag.

https://www.huntleather.com.au

My baby essentials that I carry around daily have changed now that Liberty is older and now eats solids and has less explosive nappy changes. 

So at nearly ten months I now count essentials as:

1. Nappies of course, I use Huggies and can't complain, to be honest I really liked Thank You nappies too, but they don't have a wetness indicator on them and I find that really frustrating. Depending on how long I plan to be out depends on how many nappies I carry, generally I refill everyday to make sure I have at least five.

2. Wipes - I use Curush Baby Care Fragrance Free Super Thick wipes. I haven't had a problem with these and so haven't needed to try other brands. These are super thick and now use them on everything, don't all parents? I wait for these to go on sale at Chemist Warehouse and buy in bulk.

3. Wrap and Blankets - I love good linen and Liberty has some of the best around. Liberty is still swaddled for her naps and I use Toshi and Country Road muslin wraps as I find the size of these brands is on the larger size and don't unwrap as she moves around now. Blankets are from Sheridan, Jamie Kay, Linens and Thing and Country Road. I pick blankets that are either 100% cotton or bamboo blends along with some heavier weights for cool Melbourne winters with cashmere and wool. Sheridan have the most beautiful warmer weight blankets and the only brand I found with 100% wool cot blankets this season. 

https://www.sheridan.com.au/

https://www.jamiekay.co.nz/

http://toshi.com.au/

https://www.countryroad.com.au

4. Cups, Spoons, Bowls and Bibs - you don't need to spend a fortune on these but it is so easily done. Our spoons, bowls and plates are from Munchkin, Liberty was part of a Baby Bistro photo shoot and was given some as a thank you. We have bought other brands, but these are my favourites and easy for Liberty to handle too. With Liberty's bibs - Papinelle Liberty prints are my favourites, not cheap at around $18 each but they are truly beautiful and wash up really well even with tough food like spaghetti. 

https://www.babybunting.com.au/munchkin-soft-tip-infant-spoon-6pk.html

http://www.papinelle.com/babies

5. Toys - We don't travel with a whole lot on a daily basis. 

1 x bunny - Jellycat of course. Is there a child in Australia who hasn't been given one? Liberty was just upgraded by her daddy to the larger size however still sleeps with her mini Liberty Bunny. 

1 x teether - we are currently using One Chew Three new marble bunny teether. Beautiful, functional and very on trend with the marble. I love when this happens with kids stuff. 

1 x book - generally a cardboard or cloth book as page tearing breaks my heart. 

https://www.limetreekids.com.au/brand-jellycat-41.aspx

https://onechewthree.com.au/collections/teethers/products/bunny-bear-silicone-teether-new

https://www.booktopia.com.au/books-online/children-teenagers-young-adults/picture-books-early-learning/picture-books-in-general/baby-books/cYBCB-p1.html

6. Hats, Shoes and Jackets - depending on the weather and activities planned. I love Liberty in a bow or a beanie. She is starting to get to the stage of taking everything off her head when you put it on, but sometimes you can sneak one past her and she forgets about it. It's the small wins right. My favourite bows are hand made by a wonderful woman I now call a dear friend at Lucy Victoria Baby Couture and Liberty's beanies are from Gap for cotton or Wilson & Frenchy for wool blends without any of the nasties. 

http://lucyvictoriababycouture.bigcartel.com/products

https://www.wilsonandfrenchy.com.au/

Please let me know if there are any other topics you'd like me to cover or questions about any brands I use or can recommend.