Buy Crickey: Nothing but the best for bubs

Your Money and careers writer for the NZ Herald·Herald on Sunday·

10 Aug, 2013 05:30 PM3 mins to read

Parents want the best and the safest for their babies. Photo / Thinkstock

Parents everywhere want the best for their babies. And millions worldwide will be watching just what Wills and Kate buy and use for baby George.

Like the royals, Kiwi parents want the best and the safest for their babies, says Rebecca McLeod, founder of Made4Baby. They're willing to stretch budgets and pay for it.

The biggest purchase for many new parents is the pram/buggy and the creme-de-la-creme of prams is the Silver Cross brand. Still hand-made in Yorkshire, the Silver Cross Balmoral will set you back a cool $3,999 from Babyonthemove.co.nz. Rumour has it that Kate has bucked tradition and bought a baby blue Bugaboo brand set of wheels. The Bugaboo Cameleon3 sells for $1,776 at Naturebaby.co.nz.

According to Hello! magazine, Prince George will wear a replica of a 172-year-old christening gown. New parents can buy their own silk gown at Dimples in Newmarket or Grey Lynn for a cool $194.99. Dimples founder, mother-of-14 Jane McAllister, designs and manufactures her ranges in New Zealand and says it's not unusual for parents to spend $300 or more on a top quality baby outfit for a special occasion.

Baby equipment has undergone a revolution, and there are new products, better designs, and really clever ideas.

If there is one top-of-the-range baby product that I wish had been around when my kids were preschoolers, it's the Wishbone balance bike. Since its launch in 2008, it has become a modern classic and is sold in more than 35 countries. Second on my list would be a Natures Sway baby hammock. Mountain Buggy started life here in New Zealand and popularised three-wheeled baby buggies. Phil&Teds is another Kiwi brand with products that parents can't live without, such as the poppy high chair. There are lots of small exporters such as Touchwood Cots, Brolly Sheets, and Cariboo, says McLeod.

Many Kiwi parents, and I'm one of them, will use only locally made natural baby skincare products, such as Made4Baby and ecostore products.

Also doing well are upmarket baby stores and websites such as Mollycoddles, Bellanova, Whippersnapper, and Green Bean. Many top baby products in New Zealand are available through big retailers such as Baby City, says McLeod.

They'll also be on display at the BabyShow later this month and can often be found for bargain prices at Mary's Markets in Freeman's Bay and elsewhere in the country.

Or if you really want to shop like royalty, Harrods ships to New Zealand for £25 ($48.50) an order.