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Grandparenting

Teddy bear for one year old baby boy

(25 Posts)
susytish Wed 08-May-24 18:27:13

I have been looking for a Teddy suitable for my baby grandson. I have looked at Jellycat, I do like them, also Stieff, but don’t like the ear clip.
What have others bought and recommend?
He is in the US so hoping to order it from a site there.

PaperMonster Wed 08-May-24 19:16:32

bunniesbythebay.com/

Gorgeous things from here. My daughter has had a cuddly from here since birth and it’s what she sleeps with as a teen.

Pammie1 Wed 08-May-24 19:23:19

Have a look at EBay and Etsy. I have a vintage teddy from Chad Valley which would be lovely for a baby. Not available commercially now obviously, but there are some lovely options online. I know the ear clip can be off putting with Stieff but there are some lovely bears available from them - and an investment as they tend to sell on even when well used.

Ilovecheese Wed 08-May-24 19:27:10

Jelly cats are very cuddly.

Dogmum2 Wed 08-May-24 19:49:26

I don't know whether they still do them, but our DD has a Harrods bear she was bought when she was born, he (the bear) has the year on his foot.

A quality Paddington Bear is also lovely.

Ooooh what a lovely thing to be shopping for.

lixy Wed 08-May-24 20:56:32

This bear is made in Somerset from sheepskin. The company will ship it to the USA for you but will charge the cost of the post.

www.sheepskin.co.uk/product/100-handmade-british-sheepskin-flat-cuddle-bear/?v=79cba118546

I have one on order for my Gson but it hasn't arrived yet. Very much hoping it's as good as it looks!

Georgesgran Wed 08-May-24 21:02:24

My Mum bought DD1 a proper Paddington - it’s rigid and not really cuddly, so I bought DGS1 a Steiff Kim bear which is very soft and light.
I managed to get DGS2 a vintage bear - a limited edition of his unusual first name.

Charlie Bears have lots of models, not all bears, all with names, so you might get one to match your DGS’s name.

Oreo Wed 08-May-24 21:22:50

The main thing is that it’s soft to touch, no need to spend a fortune on it.Jellycat are ideal.

GrannyIvy Wed 08-May-24 21:30:42

Definitely recommend a Jellycat Teddy all my grandchildren loved them so soft and cuddly. My grandson particularly loves his jellycat little monkey. I bought a merryweather teddy for my eldest granddaughter a gorgeous old fashioned teddy she hated it too rough and gave it back to me when she was 5🤷‍♀️

Lovetopaint037 Thu 09-May-24 07:54:19

For a one year old I would be looking for a not too big one. Also one that can be washed.After all bigger teddies can be added at a later date so you can have a teddy bears picnic while singing along and reading about that naughty little girl who wandered into the woods and ended up breaking baby bears chair, eating his porridge and sleeping in his bed. Oh! What fun you can have granny!!!

Greyduster Thu 09-May-24 08:11:55

I would agree don’t buy a big one - my sister sent my eight month old son a lovely Chad Valley teddy for his first Christmas. It was as big as he was. As he grew he would drag it round by one ear! The ear suffered badly! Fifty six years later, we still have him (the teddy I mean😁). We bought GS a small soft teddy from Mothercare on the day he was born 17 years ago. He is retired now but has always been and is still a treasured member of the family!

Joseann Thu 09-May-24 08:40:18

Merrythought.
British made.

susytish Thu 09-May-24 09:14:52

Thank you for all your suggestion! I may go for the Jellycat as I can order it in the USA to be delivered to my grandson there.
I have here still my sons teddy which he is asking to be mailed over to the USA. It is 46 years old! I am trying to revive it, but don’t want to wash it. Any suggestions what I can do, he is a bit squashed-looking!

Nell8 Thu 09-May-24 09:27:13

Another Jellycat fan here. We have teddies and bunnies! They are very soft and cuddly and easy to hand wash.

NotSpaghetti Thu 09-May-24 09:30:57

Can you steam your son's Teddy?
That might help.

susytish Thu 09-May-24 10:11:09

NotSpaghetti I don’t have a steamer, could I put it in something over boiling water? The old fashioned way!

annodomini Thu 09-May-24 10:20:51

DS1 had a small teddy which he loved to destruction - so much so that I had to knit an new body for it. When clearing my house 18 months ago, I found it in his wardrobe - he's now 53. A teddy doesn't have to be a 'posh' bear to appeal to a small child: his granddaughter (my DGGD), now almost two, has umpteen soft toys, including teddies, but Mr Rabbit goes everywhere with her.

NotSpaghetti Thu 09-May-24 10:25:36

Yes, probably - but I'd try using my iron on full steam and holding it a fraction above it.

I obviously don't know what he's made of but if you don't want to wash it may be worth a go.

I have also tried just dampening and using a clean cloth and a toothbrush to fluff up and remove surface dirt for a similar job on a push-along horse - but I have also hand-washed my own adult children's teddies. Maybe I'm just over-confident (and lucky) but used a sillk/wool wash and rinsed a lot.

I have steamed items of my mother's that I was afraid to wash and it does "lift" and refresh things (ancient chiffon and unknown fabrics).

I think you could Google "conservation cleaning of soft toys" and get some professional advice - which will probably be dampening and wiping repeatedly I'd guess... I had some precious lace that was just cold water repeatedly when I googled that.

Good luck. I don't think you will do much with the stuffing if it's the sawdust type though like my push-along.

Grannynannywanny Thu 09-May-24 11:00:29

All 4 of my grandchildren loved the Jellycat style of cuddly animals . They weren’t fussed on actual teddy bears. Their parents quickly realised the advantage of having 2 of the same for a quick changeover to allow it to be washed and aired.

I recently opened a storage box in my daughter’s shed and spotted my now 17 yr old granddaughter’s cuddly companion squashed in the bottom of it. I popped it in the washing machine and she was delighted to arrive home from school and see her old friend hanging on the washing line. It now sits proudly on her bookcase 😊

Witzend Thu 09-May-24 11:03:34

Joseann

Merrythought.
British made.

Dd1 was given a little Merrythought teddy when she was 1 day old. Until she was well into her 20s it went everywhere with her - even on a horseback trip in the wilds of Siberia!
Little Ted is very well worn now, but still much loved.

Nannashirlz Thu 09-May-24 12:00:24

All of my grandkids have a year they were born Steiff bear and the tags don’t come out they wouldn’t be one of the best teddy companies in the world if the tags come out and being selling over a 100 yrs

NotSpaghetti Thu 09-May-24 12:07:45

Nannashirlz - the tags may not come out but some people (like me) don't like the look of them.

JackyB Thu 09-May-24 12:11:06

Yes, definitely make sure it's washable.

Just log on to Amazon.com if you're an Amazon customer and you will save on postage and customs formalities. Go for an internationally recognised brand, read the reviews and choose one with a nice face.

Otherwise Etsy also operate in America.

greenlady102 Thu 09-May-24 12:16:47

I give the Steiff My first teddy. Beautifully made safe from birth and washable also a bit classy. They come in different colours so you can buy the next child a different coloured one up to 4 children.

NotSpaghetti Thu 09-May-24 14:04:09

JackyB - I prefer Nordstrom to gift in America.