My Daughter Loves Her Sigikid Toy More Than Me

I know she loves me. Really, I do. It's just that I thought it would be different with our second.

Lucy is almost two. She runs. She falls. She cries. She holds up her arms so I swoop her up for a cuddle and then it happens. She says, 'Sigi'.

I don't mean to be needy. I just think that at this point something along the lines of 'Mommy' might be nice. Is it possible to be jealous of an inanimate object?

Sigi is an organic teddy bear snuggly given to her at birth by her older sister as part of the second baby process. Everyone told us to have Polly give Lucy a gift to ensure Polly still felt secure, loved and to curb any feelings of jealousy. We didn't really think about the effect this toy would have on us - jealousy? Surely not.

Like Polly did - and still does at the age of five - Lucy learned to fall asleep with her Sigikid toy. Sigi is her comfort, like the blankie or dolly most of us had as kids. Sigi was easy for Lucy's little hands to hold so it was one of the first things she could grasp and now that she's walking, one of the easiest things for her to carry around with her. Lucy's third word after 'Dada' then 'Mama' was 'Sigi'. And why not? He's super soft, cuddly and her constant companion.

Sigi has recently gone awol from the stroller a couple of times but with a bit of backtracking down the aisles of Safeway, he's been found, thankfully. What would a night without Sigi be like? I hope never to have to find out because it might be me sleeping with Lucy rather than him and right now - with much thanks to Sigi - I'm enjoying my eight hours. (Touch wood.)

- Louise Campbell, Lavish & Lime Co-founder

Sigikid is an innovative German toy company new to Canada but established in Europe for over 40 years. Lavish & Lime is the first Canadian e-tailer to offer Sigikid products online. Shop our Sigikid collection of organic and other toys here.

Tips for Buying the Perfect Baby Gift

It may just be in our world, but it seems there are loads of babies around at the moment. Naturally, this means the need for lots of baby gifts – whether for baby showers, births, first birthdays, baptisms or christenings.

The question is, what to buy? If you want to give a gift that will be well-liked and even cherished, one that’s a little different from all the rest, then consider these tips.

The cute factor
Everyone thinks ‘cute’ when they think ‘baby’ so if this is the angle you’re leaning towards, you really can’t go wrong. Just be sure your gift is over-the-top adorable and in this eco-friendly climate, organic, to ensure it stands out from the crowd. Consider an organic mouse snuggly or organic bear snuggly. Super cuddly and easy to grasp, these little guys have every chance of becoming baby’s one and only won’t-sleep-without-it favourite.

First baby
Often new Moms don’t know exactly what they need, no matter how many books they read or websites they scan. Give a gift that will undoubtedly prove critical to baby’s health and safety: a baby care kit. Packed with everything from a rapid-read digital thermometer and to safety grip nail clippers, this gift is good for baby and great for Mom. Another gift to consider is a baby necksaver. Made with soft, hypoallergenic zebra print material, this ergonomically designed, award-winning travel neck pillow helps support baby’s head more effectively than a car seat insert and can be transferred to a stroller – great for running Moms. Remember a quality baby gift for the first will keep on giving as it’s passed from child to child.

What Mom’s into
Taking into account Mom’s lifestyle or interests too is key to giving a baby gift that’s cherished. For example, if she’s into music, or Dad’s in a band, then a bag of rock n’ roll bath squirties is a guaranteed hit. Or is she into greener, organic living? Consider giving a paraben-free natural baby gift pack with chemical-free body wash/shampoo, baby bum spray, balm and more. A BPA-free snack set or feeding set are also good options and so is a non-toxic 100% melamine dish set. And if she’s Canadian or at least the baby is, then a red/white organic onesie printed with ‘100% Organic (made in Canada)’ is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Another important factor to consider is the occasion you're buying for.

Baby shower: practical gifts are always popular as are those that are helpful to Mom. Try a clever Canadian-made baby bath apron that not only keeps Mom dry during bath time, but prevents her from losing her grip on a slippery baby. It makes bathing a stress-free breeze and comes in velvety soft pink/blue velour or cool green gingham (pictured above). Two more great shower gifts are a must-have diaper bag and a European baby sleeping bag, guaranteed to help baby sleep through the night and let Mom get her much-needed rest.

Birth: your friend/cousin/sister-in-law has just had a baby and you’d like to take a little something with you when you meet the wee one or send a gift in the post. A three-pack of brightly coloured organic onesies would be a welcome gift as would a set of adorable organic socks printed with ballerina shoes or Converse high tops. Another thoughtful option is a super soft and super green organic frog rattle or a teddy sculpture packaged in a lovely feather-top bag.

First birthday: a great opportunity for either a playful gift like an organic play ball and animal bowling set or something slightly more memorable like a silver plated giraffe bank. A lovely organic teddy bear is also a winner. It has undeniable classic appeal but the green twist makes it a modern must-have.

Baptism or christening: generally people think about traditional keepsake gifts at this occasion – something that will be treasured for years to come. For a contemporary twist on the classics, check out this silver plated baby comb & brush set and the matching first tooth & curl set - because the alternative envelope stuffed in a drawer just doesn’t seem right! Photo albums are always something to consider too – whether featuring classic silver plated ABC baby motifs or a suede teddy bear style.

Whatever you choose, a little thought can go a long way to making your gift one that is not only liked, but loved and well-used for years to come.

For a baby gift that's different, check out our selection of stylish keepsakes, toys and essentials at Lavish & Lime.