The Importance of Cuddly Toys

Beatrix Potter, nostalgia and the importance of a child's first cuddly toy...

With all the news coverage of Beatrix Potter's new book 'The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots', we here at Babyblooms have been hit with a wave of nostalgia remembering our favourite books and cuddly toys from when we were small. For me, my most precious friend was a well-loved Peter Rabbit, bought for me by my Grandma and taken with me everywhere. This rabbit was my security, my comforter, my place of safety in unfamiliar surroundings and I truly loved his tatty face and threadbare blue jacket. Of course, as soon as he became my special friend he was no longer the Peter Rabbit from the stories, he was the Peter of my imagination. Any toy bought with love for a small child can become this special friend, a reminder of our love when mummy is elsewhere.

When our babies are first born, choosing a comforter is not the first thing we worry about and it can be after baby has chosen something entirely unsuitable to fall in love with (like a cuddly toy with wobbly eyes all set to fall off or a unique toy found at a car boot sale or even like one of my friends little boys, blue tack!) that we realise we should have encouraged a safe, replaceable and machine washable toy. This doesn't have to be a furry animal, you can get a beautiful range of blankets and comforters for babies that are safe and washable, with spares that can be purchased, that will stand up to years of love. Make sure it something you also like, as it will play a big part in your family life for years to come.

If you are brave enough to take these much-loved toys out of the house then we all know how important it is to keep an eye on them! Many a day out has been doubled in length by a lost toy and a mad dash back to the last place the toy was seen - frantic parents can often be spotted desperately searching for a lost teddy or comforter knowing that their little one will be unable to get to sleep without it. And this heartbreak for the child can be all too real, the loss of their cuddly friend a genuine sadness. I have friends who have purchased a secret double of the special cuddly toy to produce (with great relief) on such occasions.

This is why the gift of a cuddly toy is so important and we here at Babyblooms have designed some gorgeous stuffed animals that make lovely gifts for a new baby. Our Bernard bears or Beau bunnies make delightful first friends for baby, you can even personalise our bears to make the gift that little bit more special. To really push the boat out we have our baby gift sets or welcome baby hampers with gorgeous clothes bouquets, sumptuous skin care and cuddly friend all packaged inside a beautifully illustrated gift box, a unique present that really can last a lifetime!