Sophie la Girafe turns 49
In France there is a toy which is given to nearly every baby. Since 25th May 1961 Sophie la Girafe has been the traditional toy to give to a new born baby. She's a small teething toy that's ideal for children to hold on to. Her legs are just the right size for babies to grasp with their fingers.
But what's interesting is that until 4 years ago you couldn't buy Sophie in the UK at all. In fact it was only 5 years ago that the French manufacturer Vulli decided babies worldwide should start chomping on Sophie.
This year it's predicted that over 50,000 babies will use Sophie la Giraffe as their toy to chomp, drool, chew and squeak on. With more and more parents giving Sophie the thumb of approval, it might not be too long before she's a tradition in this country too!
What's so special about Sophie?
One of Sophie's most fascinating features is that she simply hasn't changed at all in 49 years. With a very retro look to her, Sophie's seen as safe. She's made from natural rubber and food grade paint. There's no PVC, BPA, Phthalates or other nasty chemicals hiding around to harm your child.
Indeed it's probably her safe features that make her so popular amongst so many parents and babies too. There's no need to worry that the toy may wear down or become unsafe for your child. In some cases other teething toys can cause allergic reactions or skin conditions to children, but not Sophie.
What's even more special about Sophie is her price. You might not see the value in spending a fortune on the latest designer baby wear. You might even be annoyed at how most chew toys need replacing after a few days. But with Sophie you'll be able to join the luxury club.
Celebrity mums such as Isla Fisher, Naomi Watts, Nicole Richie and Sofia Coppola are amongst just some of the parents that use Sophie. All this luxury sounds like it's going to cost more than the designer baby wear right? Well, you're looking at just £12 to get your hands on this exclusive club.
Is she a gimmick?
The strangest thing about Sophie is that she's genuinely not a gimmick. What's even more surprising is that her massive success over the past 49 years hasn't been backed by a huge marketing campaign. Nearly every new-born in France is given one yet Sophie isn’t main-stream marketed.
She's simply a very effective toy that does the job perfectly. Mums and Dads have been passing their recommendations on for the past 49 years. That's how Sophie got where she is today; a sign of a genuine product that actually works. No advertising required.
So if your child's going through the teething phase, consider Sophie la Giraffe. After all, it is her Birthday!
