Top Tip: Choosing Baby’s Wardrobe
When deciding what to buy for baby’s wardrobe, think about the seasons in which they will be worn. Where possible choose natural fibres – wool and cotton are best and have great insulating properties, while allowing the skin to breathe. Cotton for summer, wool for winter. All in one jumpsuits keep baby warm, but you will be changing the nappy often, so zips are better than buttons, press-studs are more convenient than pull-ons, and tops with side buttons or wider necks are easier to slip over the baby’s head.

Don’t get overwhelmed with all the zeros’ in the sizes, as a general rule:

• Premmie / Small newborn (up to 4kg) 00000 or 0000
• Newborn to 3 months (up to 6 kg) 000
• 3 – 6 months (up to 8kg) 00
• 6 – 12 months (up to 10kg) 0
  

Top Tip: Breastfeeding your baby
Breastfeeding is best for baby. If you are going to breastfeed be patient and it will be worth it. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs. It protects your baby from illness and infection and promotes a special loving bond between mother and baby. As parents we will have to make many choices. One of the most important choices you will make is how you will feed your baby.

Top Tip: Choosing Nappies
Still undecided about which nappies to you – cloth or disposable? While disposables are quick and easy to use, absorbent and convenient, they are very expensive not only on the hip pocket, but also on our environment. Research shows that 50 million disposable nappies enter the landfill every day, where they sit for up to 500 years. Consider choosing Eco nappies of doing disposable, or consider a nappy service to take away and wash.

Top Tip: Carrying your baby
Baby wearing has always had benefits for mum. Your hands are free to cook dinner, carry bags, exercise – but now more and more research has shown the benefits to baby. Studies have found that babies cry less – on average 43% less. It’s great for baby’s mental development – by providing the baby with more sensory stimulus while looking around, and while baby is in a more “quite, alert state” they become more aware of their surroundings. And great for baby’s emotional development, by providing a sense of security and trust. Try it out!