If I had one key piece of advice to give to any expecting parents out there, it would be to leave yourself plenty of time when it comes to planning your baby list. Even if you’re cautious and don’t want to start buying anything too early, there’s no harm in just doing some research so you’re better prepared when the time comes to start buying things. You may also find that certain items (usually the big ticket items such as the pushchair or cot) are out of stock or have long delivery lead times. So it’s also worth bearing that in mind.
Read MoreBaby Blankets
Baby blankets are essential items and were one of the first things I bought when preparing my hospital bag. Whether it’s for keeping your little ones cosy and warm in the colder months, a special occasion or everyday use, there are lots of lovely blankets to choose from. Whatever the weather, here are just a few of my favourite cellular, fleece and knitted baby blankets as tried and tested by my little man.
Read MoreStorage for Baby Toys and Books
My baby’s toy collection is slowly but surely growing. We are currently at that stage where our house is not looking like Hamleys just yet, but we could benefit from having some storage options to tidy away the toys when needed. The same can be said for his book collection, although this appears to be growing much more quickly and is beginning to take up space on our bookshelves.
Read MoreToys for Babies Over 6 Months
My last blog post focussed on toys for babies under 6 months. Since then, I have discovered that the older your baby gets, the more choice there is out there. I first started to notice that my baby would benefit from playing with more stimulating toys when he began to reach about 5 months old. He was becoming a lot more curious, adventurous and explorative. So we decided to buy him a few more toys to help encourage his learning and development.
Read MoreToys for Babies Under 6 Months
As with most baby products, there is an infinite amount of choice when it comes to toys. Truthfully speaking, my baby wasn’t really that interested in playing with toys when he was very little because he was still developing his hand-eye coordination, and more concerned with feeding and sleeping. Having said that, he did enjoy staring at the toys and they provided important stimulation for my baby’s senses, as well as, encouraging the development of his motor skills.
Read MoreBaby Skincare and Grooming
Baby skin is extremely delicate so I knew from the outset that I wanted to avoid any products that contained harsh chemicals, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances which could irritate my baby’s skin. Instead, I sought to find something that was as mild and natural as possible.
Read MoreHow to Pick a Nursery
This is a sensitive topic for me, but one I can no longer keep on avoiding. I’ve kept my head buried in the sand for long enough, ducked all the questions, and ignored every warning about ‘looking early’ to avoid disappointment. The first nursery we went to see, I didn’t take seriously at all and just went through the motions. There was still so much time left of my maternity leave and as much as I missed having adult conversation, exercising my brain, and making an effort to look presentable when leaving the house, the thought of going back to work and leaving my precious little baby in the hands of complete strangers was gut wrenching.
Read MoreMoses Basket
When considering which sleeping arrangement would work best for us, I did a lot of research and looked at The Lullaby Trust safer sleep guidelines. I wanted to ensure I was following the correct advice from trusted experts, as the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was all too prevalent in my mind being a first time mum.
Read MoreBaby Gifts
Once upon a time, a baby shower used to be an intimate event where close friends and family would gather together to eat cake and homemade nibbles, play a few games and give the mummy-to-be some thoughtfully handpicked gifts. Now, it seems to have evolved into an elaborate stately affair, a month prior to which, mumzilla herself sends you an online gift registry that totals up to the amount of a small house deposit. It may have started off as an American tradition, but it has become as much of a custom here in the UK as anywhere else.
Read MoreOrganic Baby Clothes
I’m a huge fan of organic cotton baby clothes. They feel softer than ordinary cotton and it’s nice to know there were no pesticides, harmful chemicals or nasty toxins used in the manufacturing process. Organic cotton is therefore kinder to my baby’s skin, longer lasting and more environmentally friendly. That’s why I always try to buy organic clothes for my little one, especially when it comes to things like his vests and night wear.
Read MoreBooks for Babies
Studies have shown that boys lag behind girls when it comes to literacy. I remember hearing this when I was at school, and whilst the gap appears to be narrowing, it looks like girls are still outperforming their male classmates when it comes to reading. I love reading and I wanted to introduce books to my son at an early age.
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