After almost 3 years of practice I have learnt what to do (and what not to do!)
Below you will find some of my top tips and product recommendations to make your little ones hair look gorgeous with minimal effort.
Make sure you provide plenty of entertainment to get your kids to sit still!
There is no point attempting gorgeous new hair styles if they move after 30 seconds.
Keep some special toys that are only brought out at styling time.
If they are still the right age for a high chair pop them in with some snacks and toys - the Fat Brain Whirly Squigz are great as they suction on to the high chair tray and keep them super entertained!
For kids no longer using high chairs I recommend getting them some breakfast organised first then pop on their favourite show for 10 minutes so you can style without interruption!
"Without realising it, those small precious moments turn into precious memories. Cherish each and every one"
When deciding on your guest list take your babies needs and temperament into account. Do they love lots of attention and happy in large groups? Or would they prefer a smaller, more family oriented party?
Also consider who has experience with kids and will roll with the punches when the unexpected happens - like your baby deciding a nap right before the cake is cut is a great idea!
When you decide on a time for your babies party it's important to take their nap time into account.
Most people prefer a morning event, usually 10 or 11am. Keep it fairly short - 2 hours is good for small kids.
All the sensory stimulation and social interaction should tire your little one out fairly quickly. Then pop them down for a long nap while you clean up!
If you are doing a cake smash (and I highly recommend you do - it makes for the best photos!) then having two outfits is best.
Choose one main outfit that will be worn for the majority of the day - this can be as fancy or as simple as you like.
Have a second outfit on hand for the cake smash. I recommend a neutral colour, so the cake design stands out and is the focus of the photos (along with your gorgeous baby!)
Also adding on one of our gorgeous number 1 party hats makes your photos super adorable and memorable.
I personally find first birthday parties easiest to host at home. You can plan in advance, have everything your baby needs on hand and everything is already baby-proofed for other young guests.
Alternatively you could plan it for a local park or playground area, depending on the age of other guests. If lots of other crawling/just walking babies are coming, then home is probably best. If older kids are attending, a park could be great for entertaining them.
You could choose a specific theme - think dinosaurs, mermaids, safari, princess, sprinkles, rainbow - the options are endless!
Alternatively you could keep decorations simple and just celebrate with balloons and a gorgeous cake topper for the cake.
Birthday balloons are always a hit with kids - get a large number 1 to take photos with a few bunches with weights to prop around the space. I also usually blow up some loose ones to scatter around as kids love playing and chasing them!
With kids around, it’s smart to steer clear of anything too fancy or messy. Instead, opt for finger foods and light-coloured drinks (to avoid stains!).
Be wary of allergies too; ask in advance if certain foods should be avoided altogether.
Fruit platters are great for young kids, along with crust-free sandwich bites and mini cookies.
Don't forget a cake too - one for the rest of the guests and one for the cake smash!
For a first birthday it's great to get a mix of both practical and fun presents.
Think of things you will need to use - like dinnerware, bath products, new outfits.
Also make sure to get a few fun toys - there are so many available that help spark curiosity and assist with hand eye coordination.
What's the best way to start my collection?
I always recommend starting off with a mouse that represents your child.
The mice that come in a matchbox are a great first option as they come with a ready made bed, complete with pillow and blanket.
From there you can add on additional mice that complete your family (e.g. one that is Mum, Dad, and each of your children and some simple furniture to help them create and engage in make believe play.
Some great first options are a bed, bathtub, closet, rug and chair.
What are the different sizes of mice available?
The mice come in a variety of sizes, outlined as below:
15cm - Mums and Dads, Grandparents, Kings and Queens
12cm - Big Brothers and sisters, Princesses and Princes, Hiker Mice, Maid & Waiter mice
10cm - Little Brothers and sisters, Superhero mouse
8cm - Baby mice - twins and triplets
Which bed should I choose for my mouse?
Maileg vintage double bed - fits two mice up to 15cm
Maileg vintage single bed - fits one mouse up to 12cm
Maileg wooden bed - fits one mouse up to 12cm
Maileg metal cot - fits one mouse up to 12cm
Maileg metal cradle - fits one mouse up to 10cm
Maileg wooden cradle - fits one baby mouse up to 8cm
What age are they suitable for?
Maileg are recommended for 3 and up due to small parts, however both my kids have loved playing with them from 2 years old, with close supervision.
Great for girls and boys alike, I can promise you from experience these are one of our most played with toys in the house.
They can spend hours creating make believe play, tucking them into bed, making tea, feeding them, the possibilities are endless. I even love playing with them too!
They are so much fun and inspire creativity and imagination.
What are some great options for a living room set-up?
Firstly think about where you are keeping all your Maileg.
Do you have a dedicated doll house, or are you having it open-ended on a shelf?
Make sure to check the measurements on each piece as some furniture is quite a bit larger than others.
I recommend a couch, fireplace and side table to create a cosy living space.
Purchase a small collection to begin with including a mouse, bed, bathtub, and chair so your child has enough pieces to begin imaginative play.
Add on more pieces for special occasions, such as birthdays or Christmas. Make sure you grab your favourites when you see them, as each year some items are discontinued to make way for new designs.
Don't forget about the small add-on's!
Some of our most played with Maileg items have been things like the teapot set, the groceries to go in the fridge, the lamp (it turns on and off!) and the baby pram. Think about how your kids will play with it all together and what will be fun for them.
Why can't I find an item that I have seen before?
One of the great things about Maileg is that they are always refreshing and adding to their range.
Every season Maileg will discontinue some older items to make way for new designs.
Sometimes it will be an update in clothing or accessories for a certain mouse, other times it's a complete new product - such as the camping collection.
In addition, it can take months for new shipments to arrive in Australia, so favourite items may be unavailable for us to re-stock for a while. Therefore it is important to collect your favourite pieces while you can!
What does Maileg mean?
The name Maileg is formed by combining the surname of Maileg's founder, Dorthe Mailil, with 'leg', which is the Danish word for play.
Maileg is pronounced My-Lye (to rhyme with sky or pie).
Which doll house should I use for my Maileg?
There is a Maileg brand wooden doll house that comes complete with beautifully decorated walls. It measures 80cm x 72cm
Alternatively the IKEA Flisat doll house is a great option for beginners. It measures 50cm x 59cm.
Pictured here is the Joy Baby White Dollhouse, which is great for a larger Maileg collection. It measures 112cm x 83cm
Works equally well for car trips, out at restaurants or anywhere you need to keep them occupied and sitting still!
Keep reading for some great ideas!
Mini Spinny - Fat Brain Toys
Age: 10m+
From the gentle jingle sound and clinking rings, to the various textures, teethers and ribbons, this travel toy offers developmental sensory play features that are sure to engage and inspire your sweetie.
Dimpl Clutch - Fat Brain Toys
Age: newborn and up
Each Whirly Squigz is made of 100% high-quality silicone that's colorful, pleasant to touch, and safe for teething. Hold them, explore their unique contours, chomp on them and let them soothe sore gums... Then, stick them to any smooth, flat, non-porous surface - like a bathtub wall, a tabletop, or a window - give them a spin, and... WHOOSH! -
Around and around they go, faster than the eye can see! Sensory exploration spins in a new direction with Whirly Squigz.
A baby carrier will be a lifesaver! Use this while travelling through the airport, walking to settle them on the plane, snuggling in to you to sleep.
Take a dummy for them to suck on during takeoff and landing to minimise pressure related pain
Pack plenty of extra clothing and nappies in case of accidents. Also take a blanket to use - planes can get very chilly! Also doubles as a tummy time mat to let them stretch out on the floor.
Simply fill up the pen with water and colour in the designs to see them magically appear, then disappear once dry. The 6 brightly coloured fun sheets are held together in a spiral bound pad allowing you to flip them over once complete. The built-in easel stands the pad up so you can use it like a ‘proper’ artist!
Age: 18m+
Age: 18m+
Its interactive fabric activities allow your little ones to explore the wonders of travel.
They can even put their own photo in their passport, buckle up for take off, or catch a fish on a fun camping trip. Away We Go is great for learning at home or for keeping little ones quietly entertained as a travel companion.
It's perfect for keeping kids busy on car journeys, plane rides, train journeys & more. Fully zips up to close and includes carry handles for easy portability.
Age: 3+ due to small parts, younger children can thoroughly enjoy with supervision
First things first - what makes a Subo bottle so special?
It is a 'non-squeezable' food bottle which eliminates meal time mess and helps kids be independent and feed themselves - win win!
A lot of parenting is on the go these days. Subo helps you get healthy, nutritious food into your children, without the cost and waste.
What I love most is that this product lasts your child for many years - just switch up what you put inside as they grow! Keep reading below for some great recipe ideas for every age.
**Recipes for 6 months and up. Please consult with doctor for any questions regarding starting new food groups.
Thin any smoothies out with extra water or your milk of choice, particularly when your baby is new to drinking smoothies
Save leftover portions in the fridge for up to 24 hours or pop in the freezer for up to a month
Ensure you also purchase the seperate straw spout. The Subo bottle comes with the 12mm spout, it is recommended to use the straw spout for babies 6months - 2 years old.
The smaller spout is perfect for getting babies used to using the food bottle and avoiding frustration, which can lead to food refusal. The food is close to the spout so they get the hang of the bottle much quicker.