Flamingoes, fun and fantastic buys – the Baby Show Excel 2015

The Baby Show is back again – this time at ExCel, London.

Little B and I headed along (minus older siblings for a change) to check out what’s new – and we had the opportunity to give the Cosatto SUPA a try while we were there, too.

The amount of new products coming out all the time never ceases to amaze me, and this time it was no different. Some of the favourite things that we found include:

The Knuma Connect: a clever highchair system – The Baby Case: a complete travel suitcase for your baby, with detachable daypack, wardrobe function and change bag – Sit n’ Stroll: an FAA certified 5-in-1 travel car seat that is suitable up to 40lbs – Frieda’s Pantry breastfeeding bars – Kozy Kartz: covers to keep your baby warm, safe and happy while sitting in a trolley (and away from all the bacteria on the bars and the handle) – Picklebee baby sleepsuits: innovative sleepsuits with a zip instead of poppers for an easier nappy change

Plus of course the Cosatto SUPA, in the new print for 2015: Flamingo Fling!

The Show was smaller than others I’ve been to (at Olympia), but I think that was actually quite nice. There was still a great range of products on offer to try, compare and buy; and it’s big but not so big that you can’t get round it all in a day. The Work and Family Show has been integrated into the same hall too which is great. There is a really useful CV masterclass at 10am, and we also caught a bit of Annabel Karmel talking about how to turn your start-up dreams into a reality (something that you can also read about in her new book ‘Mumpreneur: the complete guide to starting and running a successful business’).

There is a free creche on offer, run by My Nursery (we didn’t use it this time as Little B had such a fantastic nap in the SUPA that there wasn’t really the need!) and lots of seating and feeding areas in the hall for hungry babies and their grown-ups (including the Joie Central Cafe, the private feeding area with lovely comfortable chairs and footstools, and the Tommee Tippee Baby Cafe which has free Cow and Gate friends carrot pouches, Tommee Tippee feeding spoons, disposable bibs, bottle warmers and microwaves all lined up alongside tables and Stokke Tripp Trapp highchairs). There is also a well equipped Baby Changing Area, courtesy of ALDI Mamia, and an activity area for older babies, toddlers and big siblings. If you’re after a good meal for yourself to keep you fuelled for an afternoon of bargain hunting, then there are plenty of food outlets and restaurants including my favourite Square Pie, in the Excel concourse just outside the Show.

If you HAVE been successful with your bargain hunting, then there is the very useful Emma’s Diary shop and drop service available, where you can drop off your bags and either pick them up later or collect them by car as you’re leaving.

The main stage has a good range of information sessions available, with a great First Aid overview by the British Red Cross and some tips for baby sleep from Jo Tantum being two of our favourites.

And on top of all that, there are all the great offers, bargains, freebies and competitions. Here are some that we found:

Free MAM Anti-Colic Bottle, Mamia Baby Wipes and Cow & Gate friends pouch from the Sampling Area (H30).

Free photograph of your little one, courtesy of Bumpkins – and the opportunity to book a discounted studio session too.

Prima Baby Goody Bags for £3, including the two latest copies of the magazine and a whole range of products (I think this is the best Baby Show goody bag we’ve ever seen!). You can also get a free GroBag sleeping bag when you sign up for a subscription at the show (on special offer at £20).

Count the Kicks are running a tombola with a prize every time, for £1 a go. You can also pick up a Count the Kicks wristband for just £2.

Win a Mamas and Papas Armadillo (whichever best suits you and your family from their range) by filling in their competition form at stand F50.

20% off everything at Babies R’ Us (if they don’t have it on the stand, you can order it to pick up in store and still get the discount).

Free Isofix Base with every Doona car seat bought at the show (find them at stand H70) – it’s an amazing seat that can turn into a fully functional stroller, ours has changed my life!

Bibee Maternity have their innovative maternity and breastfeeding tunics and dresses on offer – buy one tunic from last season’s range at half price (£35) and get a front of your choice to go with it too.

Mothercare have 10% off everything (we loved looking at all the new colourful offerings in the Little Bird clothing range).

MAM are offering a free soother when you pick up a flyer from the sampling area.

Funky Giraffe have six bibs for £10, or 14 bibs for £20, and some really awesome new designs on offer too.

Tommee Tippee are offering big discounts across the whole range, including their new cups (2 for £6).

Baby Case are offering a £25 discount for the first two hours each day of the show (£95 instead of £120) and £20 off for the rest of the day.

Buggi Lights are on offer at £12.99 instead of £14.99 (ours have been fantastic over the winter months).

Concord are offering 1/3 off all products ordered at the show (apart from the Reverso)

Cosatto are offering a free car seat with some purchases, and are also running a competition to win a free Cosatto Giggle (plus they’ve got some very colourful badges and balloons which went down very well with all the visiting babies and children!). We loved trying the SUPA for the day (review coming very soon on the blog) and got so many comments about the fabulous flamingo print and the innovative tablet pocket in the hood as we were strolling around.

There is £5 off Ewan the Dream Sheep and his friend Russell the Dream Sheepdog

Hot Milk – who do really pretty, supportive and functional nursing bras and lingerie – are offering 40% off and a competition to win a £300 prize pack. And pants for a fiver!

and there are plenty more offers, bargains and competitions – why not go along and see for yourself?!

 

The Baby Show is open 9.30-5.30pm on the 20th, 21st and 22nd February 2015. Tickets can be bought on the door (and there is a £4 off voucher available to download here).

ExCel is easily accessible by public transport (the DLR stops right outside) and all-day parking is available too, for £15.