Win tickets to The Affordable Art Fair

The aim of The Affordable Art Fair is to make contemporary art accessible to everyone, and to show you don’t need to be an art expert or a millionaire to enjoy and buy art.

The fair takes place in Battersea Park (21-24 October) with 120 galleries featuring artwork to suit every taste and pocket in a relaxed, unstuffy environment .

But it's not just about buying art. The Education Programme offers a whole host of different activities from illustration to participating in a collaborative wall painting, all of which are fun, informative and, best of all, free!

The theme for this Autumn’s Education Programme will be ‘Food, glorious food’, exploring the representation of food in art through artist-led workshops, open-access activities and fun-filled Kids’ Activity Packs. This is also a great opportunity to teach children about healthy eating and growing your own fruit and vegetables with the inclusion of ‘Fun to Grow’ seeds with Kids’ Activity Packs.

There's even a free crèche for younger children to stay in whilst adults explore the fair.

If that's encouraged you to start your own art collection, we have two private view tickets for Wednesday 20 October to give away!

For a chance to win please email your name and address to hello@nappyvalley.co.uk by Friday 8th October.

Bloom's beautiful baby bouncer

Bloom's baby products are just delicious - beautifully designed and stylish, but eminently practical too.

The Coco is their bouncy chair, moulded from a single piece of wood and suitable from newborn to 12kg/26lbs. The cosy seat - with 5-point safety harness - is built in so no assembly is required.

You can currently find one for sale on Nappy Valley with a Snug insert included for just £100.

Multi-purpose muslin squares (and 10% off at Lush Baby)

When I was expecting my first child, I'd read that muslins were an essential purchase, but couldn't really understand why. I bought them anyway and ended up finding them completely indispensable.

These award winning oversized swaddling wraps from Aden & Anais bring muslin into the 21st century with colourful, stylish prints and an effortless design.

Made from 100% luxurious cotton muslin, the light, open weave allows a baby’s body temperature to regulate itself naturally helping to prevent overheating. They offer the ultimate in breathability and softness, as the more the more you wash them, the softer they get.

The wraps can also be used as burp cloths, nursing and pram covers, portable cot sheets, tummy time blankets, change table covers, and more and are firm favourites of many celeb mums including Gwen Stefani, Isla Fisher and Jennifer Garner.

Visit Lush Baby to view the full range of muslin baby products. Nappy Valley users can benefit from a 10% discount. For discount code click here.

Ikea kitchen for budding chefs

This Duktig Mini-kitchen from Ikea is one of best looking toy kitchens I have seen. It looks very sturdy and even has hot plates that light up!

It actually comes in two pieces - the bottom half with the sink, cooker and hot plate costs £65 and the top section with shelving and microwave is £24.

Recommended for ages from 3 years, the legs are height adjustable to three different positions so it will grow with your child. There's also a great range of accessories and kitchen utensils in the DUKTIG series.

Grab one soon for Christmas before they sell out!

Swing your baby to sleep

My sons both loved swinging cradles. In fact I actually bought a hammock instead of a crib for the second baby. But if you're not convinced about full-time hammock sleeping (although I would HIGHLY recommend it), how about just for nap times?

The Fisher Price Butterfly Garden Cradle Papasan Swing features side to side or front to back swinging motion, along with a sheer canopy, 16 different sounds/lullabies, a butterfly mobile and a detachable play tray. Great for calming a fractious young baby.

Genius reusable nappies from Bumgenius

These reusable nappies had me at the name. "Bumgenius" is, well, genius.

I used reusables with my second son and found them really easy and convenient. And of course they're much cheaper and kinder to the environment than disposable nappies.

You can currently find a set of 10 Bumgenius nappies (along with accessories) at Nappy Valley.

My pregnancy best friend - Gaviscon

Throughout all three pregnancies I have suffered from horrible heart burn. The build up of acid indigestion is most severe at night time. I don't know what I would have done without giant bottles of Gaviscon by my bed. I went through 500ml bottles at an alarming rate - couldn't get it down quick enough! I have to admit, I often resorted to swigging direct from the bottle!

At over £10 a bottle it could be an expensive nine months, so was delighted to find out that you are entitled to Gaviscon free on prescription with a valid maternity exemption card, which also entitles you to free prescriptions and dental treatment. To apply for the maternity exemption card, ask your doctor, midwife or health visitor for Form FW8.

I would recommend Gaviscon Advance (liquid form) in peppermint flavour.

Apparently heartburn it is a sign you are going to have a baby with lots of hair! Did that turn out to be true for you? Tell us in the comments.