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A Guide to Baby's Temperature
As a parent there always seems to be something to worry about! A common concern in these cooler months is baby’s temperature and how to hit the ‘Goldilocks’ sweet spot – not too cold; not too hot! Monitoring baby Babies can’t regulate their own body temperature for the first six weeks, so it’s important to keep an eye on them and adjust their clothing and room temperature to suit. First up – what is normal? Baby’s temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius. A mild fever is a temperature higher than 38ºC and a high fever is anything over 39ºC. A thermometer is a great addition to your home first aid kit – giving you a quick and accurate temperature reading. These will typically get used a lot throughout childhood, making them a great investment. Some great options include digital forehead thermometers for quick and contactless checks such as Oricom's Contact Infrared Thermometer or Nuk's Baby Flash Thermometer. It’s a good idea to also take your baby’s temperature on a day when they’re content and well, so you can check their ‘normal’. Babies under three months with a mild fever and babies between three and six months with a high fever (over 39ºC) should be taken to the doctor. Another way to gauge baby’s temperature is to gently touch the back of their head or tummy – it should feel warm. (While they offer easier access, don’t go by their hands or feet, as these extremities are often cooler.) Ideal temperature for a sleep space It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature - around 18-20ºC. If you have a heater, heat pump, or air conditioning with a thermostat, you can set it to 18ºC and it will flick on and off as the temperature changes throughout the night. Clothing and bedding choices are key Merino is a natural wonder that’s perfect year-round – helping with temperature regulation. It has little pockets of air that keep warmth in on cold days, and cool baby down on a hot day. Another great natural fibre for baby is organic cotton . It can eliminate moisture build up between clothes and your baby’s skin, to keep your them comfortable and dry. Clothes for when you’re out and about For daytime, opt for layers so you can add or remove a layer to keep baby comfortable - again sticking with cotton and merino. If your baby falls asleep in the pram or car - yay! But both spaces can heat up and get airless quickly – so don’t forget to monitor their temperature. Think about ways to provide shade and airflow – and don’t leave them asleep in a car alone. Bath time Ideal water temperature for a bath is 37°C. It should feel warm and soothing, but not too hot for delicate skin. You can test the water with the inside of your wrist, or make it super easy with a Oricom Duck Bath Thermometer or the colour-changing Pebbly.
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Pacifiers – Choosing the right fit for your little one
Pacifiers can be one of the more controversial topics when it comes to parenting. Everyone has an opinion on this small rubber or silicone object, and you may find you will receive conflicting advice when deciding to use one or not. The good news is the decision to use a pacifier is completely up to you. Using a pacifier can be a lifesaver as a new parent, particularly in those first few months. When it comes to settling your newborn sucking on a pacifier is a great way to calm them down. A pacifier is designed to imitate a mother’s nipple and can usually calm a baby straight away when they become fussy. If you are wanting to stretch out your night feeds a pacifier might be your go to option to keep them settled until their next feed. Trial and error is often the best way to find the pacifier that works best for your baby. We have a range of options at Dimples to help you explore what your baby prefers. Latex vs Silicone At Dimples, we offer both Latex and Silicone pacifiers. Latex is made from natural rubber and is extra soft for your baby’s developing mouth. It is recommended that this product should be replaced every 6 weeks with its shorter shelf life. Silicone pacifiers are a more robust material as well as easier to clean. It is important to check your pacifiers before use to ensure there are no cracks as this will lead to a higher build-up of bacteria. Rounded vs Orthodontic Pacifiers stocked at Dimples come in a variety of shapes and sizes, you may find baby will prefer one shape and material over another. Dimples offer both Rounded and Orthodontic shaped pacifiers. A pacifier with a rounded nipple is often preferred by babies that are breastfed. Here the tongue is placed under the nipple much like when they are breastfeeding, this can help prevent nipple confusion. An orthodontic pacifier features a nipple with a flattened bottom and rounded top. This design helps support your little ones developing palate and jaw. The Variety Dimples has to offer: Frigg Frigg Pacifiers are designed in two different styles a classic minimalist design style as well as a daisy shape with a scalloped edge. Soothe your little one in style with a Frigg Pacifier the large colour range Frigg has on offer allows you to choose from a series of fashionable colours for your little one. The Frigg Pacifiers feature a rounded cherry shaped nipple. These pacifiers are designed with an outward curve which helps to keep the pacifier off the baby’s skin, it’s design also includes air holes and a security handle to ensure your baby is always safe. Frigg pacifiers are available in two different sizes. Size 1 is suited for newborn to 6 months and size 2 is suitable from 6 to 18 months. Bibs Bibs dummies are a world-renowned pacifier. Their retro look is complete with a rounded shield and rounded nipple. The suction area of this pacifier is made up of 100% natural soft, silky and flexible rubber. This pacifier gives your child a natural sense of sucking. With the outwards facing shield, your little one’s skin will have a reduced chance of irritation around the mouth area. Bibs Pacifiers are available in three different sizes; size 1 is suitable for newborn to 6 months, size 2 is suitable from 6 months to 18 months and size 3 is suitable from 18 months plus. Dimples offer a large selection of colours to soothe your little one in-store and online. Nuk Nuk is there to make sure your little one is taken care of. Every child is born different and you may find your little one is too small for regular size 1 silicone soothers. Nuk offers a size 0 silicone soother for smaller babies. Designed by medical experts the smaller size and shape will be perfect to soothe your tiny newborn. Nuk has also developed Pacifiers featuring extra soft silicone for your baby’s sensitive skin. This soother is made up of 100% extra soft silicone. The Nipple is extra soft to reduce the risk of tooth and jaw misalignments. Pacifier Clips Pacifier clips are the perfect addition to your soother. You will quickly discover over the early years of your child’s life you will go through plenty of Pacifiers. Often that is because your little one has conveniently dropped them only for it to never be seen again. A pacifier clip can help to prevent this from happening by simply attaching the pacifier to your child’s clothing. When they drop their pacifier, or it falls out of their mouth this means the object is still attached to them. Elodie offers a wide range of stylish Pacifier clips to make sure you can match the clip with any outfit. Check out our full range here
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What you need to know about baby monitors
Keep your eye on bubs while they're fast asleep Becoming a parent is a rollercoaster of emotions and new experiences. You’ve spent nine months with your baby tucked safely in your belly, and now that they've made it Earth-side, you can’t wait to bring them home. When it comes to sleeping, you may have your mini-me in your room or nursery. At some point they will move into their own bedroom, and it’s quite natural to feel anxious about leaving your tiny human alone. That’s where baby monitors allow you to keep an eye and ear on your little one from anywhere in the house (outside too!). Baby monitors provide peace of mind for parents who worry that they might not wake when baby stirs or cries, signaling it’s time for a feed – or perhaps just stretching. In today’s tech-driven world, baby monitors are almost a given, and these days they come with lots of features. Here’s what you need to know when buying a baby monitor: Types of baby monitors Audio Sound-only monitors are essentially like a walkie-talkie – they’ll let you listen to your baby as they sleep. They focus on minimising background noise so you can hear cries and coos from the crib. Many audio monitors will light-up when your baby stirs, glowing brighter as their cries get louder. Video and audio Watch your baby – as well as hear them! These monitors work through a small camera mounted on the nursery wall or a flat surface beside baby’s crib. Night vision provides a clearer image when the lights are off, and touch-screen features let you zoom in or tilt the camera. Some can feed a live stream to multiple cameras, helping you keep an eye out from any room in the house. Wireless network Most monitors use radio-frequency transmission, but these digital monitors connect to your home Wi-Fi or mobile network. For example, the Owlet Cam lets you stream audio and high-definition video of your baby directly to your smartphone via the Owlet app. Some will send your device notifications when there has been a change in movement or sound. Key baby monitor features Like many technology-based products, baby monitors have advanced in leaps and bounds. Some have amazing add-ons which certainly make life easier, but there are some essential features you should consider: Rechargeable batteries . Pick a model that can recharge or be plugged in instead of relying on batteries.= Low-battery indicator . You can visually see when power is running low. Multiple and portable receivers . You may want a receiver that can move around the home with you. An extra handset is handy for when the other one is charging. Night vision. Unless you can see in the dark, a monitor with night vision will make it easier to see your sleeping baby – no matter what time of day or night it is. Light-up sound indicator . Look for a baby monitor with a light-up sound indicator, so if you’re on the phone, in a noisy room or don’t want to wake another sleeping family member, you can visually monitor your little one’s noise level. Sound and video interference filters . Background noises can make it difficult to hear your baby – and they’re not pleasant when amplified by a baby monitor. A sound activation feature will filter out white noise – and turn on when it detects your baby crying. DECT technology . Baby monitors that use common radio frequencies will pick up signals and interferences from all over the neighbourhood – not ideal. Digital enhanced cordless telecommunication devices (DECT) are more private because the frequency is less common than in other devices. Movement and room temperature sensors . This feature sounds an alarm when there has been no movement after a certain length of time, and when the room temperature goes above or below the range it has been set at. Talk-to-baby feature . Essentially like an intercom – this lets you soothe your baby from another room or communicate with your husband or wife when they’re with your little one. Lullaby and night light . Some monitors will play a tune to help your baby get to sleep. Some will also give off a soft glow which babies can find comforting in a dark room. Camera angle and mount . For monitors with video capabilities, consider where you want to place the camera (on a flat surface, in a clamp, on the wall) and whether you can remotely control the viewing angle. Multiple camera support . Set up multiple rooms with cameras that you can turn on or off as needed. Get a good night’s rest – sort of Being a parent can be stressful enough without running back and forth to check on your sleeping baby – especially at two AM! For some, a baby monitor might not be necessary – if your home is small for example – but parents looking for peace of mind should consider using one. There are models available that offer a combination of features, like Oricom’s Smart HD Dual Camera Baby Monitor . The smart baby monitor features dual lenses for standard and wide-angle viewing. Simply pair the camera to the FREE HubbleClub for Partners app, and you can view both feeds simultaneously on your smart device. Lull your little one to sleep with pre-loaded nature sounds, lullabies & audiobooks, soothe them with your familiar voice using Two-Way Talk, and even track nursery room temperatures with the touch of a button to ensure your newborn is always comfortable. The Oricom HD Dual Camera shoots in 1080p HD and with pristine infrared night vision, this baby monitor provides crystal clear monitoring, even in total darkness. The OBHDUAL is the reliable friend that makes bedtime easier for the whole family, with the camera feed viewable on your Smart Device at home (not included).
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Teething Baby? Your go to Survival Guide
The teething baby survival guide Long before you spot the pearly white poking out of your little one’s gum, you’ll typically be warned of its arrival by a grizzly babe. Teething can happen anywhere from three to twelve months and some babies are even born with teeth. The signs of teething vary hugely – mountains of dribble, ear-pulling, strange rashes, increased night-waking or general grumpiness. Whatever your baby starts to do, it helps to have some tricks up your sleeve. Chewy toys That’s right – dogs and teething babies love them equally. That’s because counter pressure on sore gums can help provide relief. Save the railings of the cot (and anything else they can get their gums around) by having some teething toys on hand. Textured flexible teethers that can be popped in the fridge like the Haakaa Rabbit Teether have the added benefit of cooling and slightly numbing the gums. Gnaw-friendly foods Some babies love having a big piece of something hard to chew on, like chilled cucumber, carrot, celery or a hard rusk. Special teething rusks can usually be picked up at the supermarket or you can try making your own. As with any hard foods, make sure you keep a close eye on your little one as pieces can break off and become a choking hazard. Keep it cool Pop frozen fruit or veg in a teething feeder, like this one from Haakaa, to soothe sensitive gums. Make sure they’ll be soft once they melt – try bananas, ripe pears or stone fruit, and well-steamed veggies. Sometimes teething can affect your little one’s appetite too, so these are a great way to help get extra nourishment in when mealtimes are tough. The magic necklace Amber teething necklaces have been around for hundreds of years, and many parents swear by them! The theory is that succinic acid, a component of amber, is absorbed into your baby’s skin to soothe teething woes by reducing inflammation and promoting healing. While the jury is still out on whether they deliver on the magic promised, it’s worth a try! If nothing else, your babe gets a cute necklace out of it. Be sure to look for necklaces with individually knotted beads (for extra safety if broken). Teething and toothbrushing How about a teething aid that helps little ones get the hang of brushing their teeth at the same time? A teething toothbrush like this cute toothbrush will gently massage painful gums while cleaning any little teeth with its soft silicone bristles. Cuddles and comfort Sometimes all the teething aids in the world just won’t cut it and your baby just needs some extra cuddles and comfort. While it might seem like teething pains ramp up at night, it’s more likely that extra night-waking can just make it feel worse – to you! In the meantime, try and relish those extra snuggles (hard to do at 3 am, we know!) The last line of defence If chewing, rubbing and gnawing cool foods don't do the trick, it might be time to break out the liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always check with your GP or Plunket Nurse before administering any medicine, but a mild form of pain relief or anti-inflammatory can sometimes make all the difference. If you’re not quite ready to go down the medication route just yet, a natural alternative like Teething Tamer can provide natural, organic pain relief, which is easily applied externally (making it extra easy for little ones) and can be used from three months onwards.
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Reduce the Risk of SIDS
How to help keep your baby safe Entering the world of parenthood comes with its fair share of anxiety, from wondering how different your new life will be, to the worry of being responsible for a new little person. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), previously known as ‘cot death’, is the unexplained death (typically during sleep) of a seemingly healthy baby. While SIDS is a very real threat, with a little knowledge you can reduce many known contributing factors. Back to sleep You’ll no doubt hear this on repeat from midwives and Plunket nurses as soon as your little babe comes along and for very good reason. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more at risk of SIDS. While it’s not 100% understood exactly why experts believe it could be about re-inhaling stale air. Once your baby can happily roll over by themself, you don’t need to worry about sleeping positions any more. Make it a strictly smoke-free zone Smoking (and exposure to second-hand smoke) during pregnancy not only puts your baby at risk of health issues but increases the risk of SIDS too. It’s thought that nicotine can wreak havoc on a mechanism in their brain which senses a lack of oxygen and triggers breathing to start (called auto-resuscitation). So make sure it’s strictly a smoke-free zone when you’re pregnant and when your little one arrives, and that your family and friends are on board too. Welcome your new (temporary) roommate It’s widely recommended that your new babe bunks in with you (in their own safe sleeping space) for at least the first four to six months. This isn’t always practical for light sleepers, in which case a good breathing movement monitor set up in their nursery will give you peace of mind. A safe spot for slumber While room-sharing is recommended, bed-sharing isn’t. It can be so tempting to savour that extra time snuggled up in bed with your new babe, but bulky duvets, pillows and even an adult rolling can spell danger for little ones. Setting your baby up with their own safe space (like a portable Moses basket ) within arm’s reach is your best option. Be prepared to be suddenly jolted awake and find yourself sitting up in bed or a nursing chair with your baby in your arms – sleep deprivation can really grab hold of you in the early days. Sleeping with a baby on a chair or sofa is very dangerous, so to avoid this as much as possible, use the middle-of-the-night feeds as opportunities to clear out and edit that day’s photos on your phone (no doubt there will be plenty!) Your phone’s blue light will help keep you alert. Baby, it’s cold outside It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature. Bundling up babies at all times is an outdated theory – overheating is another substantial SIDS risk. Higher temperatures can put babies into a deeper slumber, making it difficult for them to wake if their breathing is obstructed. The recommended room temperature for a baby is 16 to 20 degrees, with around 18 degrees being ideal. To check your baby’s temperature, feel his back or tummy – it should feel warm. A great way to check the temperature of their nursery is with a combined nightlight/temperature sensor like the Moon Nightlight . Blankets (and everything else) be gone All those cute blankets, animal-shaped pillows and snuggly little toys that create a cosy-looking cot will need to stay in storage until your baby’s first birthday. Until then, all you need is a fitted sheet and wearable bedding like a Merino Sleep Pod to keep them warm. The key is to avoid anything that may cover their face and restrict breathing. Breastfeed if possible Experts aren’t sure why, but breastfeeding can significantly lower the risk of SIDS. The theory is that breastfeeding promotes the sucking and swallowing action, which develops muscles that keep the airway open while boosting brain development. Breastfed babies are generally lighter sleepers, too. This might not sound like a benefit at 2 am, but anything that helps reduce SIDS is a big plus. A big tick for pacifiers There tends to be negativity around using pacifiers, but they can not only be life-saving for unsettled babies during car trips, but also literally life-saving. Once again, it’s a bit of an unknown how pacifiers help, but there is a clear link – babies who use pacifiers are at lower risk of SIDS. As with breastfeeding, this could be due to more developed sucking and swallowing muscles that help keep airways open. If you’re breastfeeding, wait until this is well established (at least 4-6 weeks) before introducing a good quality silicone pacifier . Do what you can to reduce the risk While there are still a lot of unknowns with SIDS, being armed with what you can do to reduce as many risks as possible should put your mind at ease. Keep in mind that the risk of SIDS decreases after six months and is pretty rare after a baby’s first birthday.
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Top Ten Tips for a Successful Naptime
Naps are more challenging than night sleep but can be done. Napping is incredibly important, not just for your baby’s wellbeing, but for yours too. When naps are too short, erratic or unpredictable, it can be frustrating, worrying and exhausting. If you’re struggling to get your baby or toddler to nap, these ten tips could help. 1. Look out for sleep cues Ideally, your baby will be ready for sleep, but not overtired which can make napping harder. Keep an eye out for signals like frowning, jerky movements, scratching their ears or head, or making grunting noises. Toddlers may get sillier, louder, or easier to upset. 2. Skipping a nap won’t make for better sleep later Don’t skip a nap with the hope that your baby will have a better sleep later. Missing a nap will lead to overtiredness, making napping even harder. If your child has skipped a nap, they might need to go to bed earlier to make up for it. 3. It’s ok to try later If your baby is point-blank refusing to nap, it’s ok to take a break. Try pausing, and doing something else with them. If you’re following a sleep-training technique or trying to break a sleep habit, it’s ok to revert to what you know will work – you can try again when your baby is no longer overtired. 4. Avoid device screens TV, computers and other devices with screens emit blue light, which can disrupt melatonin production – the hormone that makes people feel sleepy. Watching TV up to 90 minutes pre-nap can lead to less nap time, or missing sleep altogether. This can add up to a sleep deficit, which can make the problem worse. Keep screen time to a minimum and after nap time only. 5. Develop a schedule You need to find a balance between naps and feeding, so your baby isn’t waking up because of hunger. To maximise sleep it’s also important that there is enough (but not too much!) time between sleeps. For many parents, a schedule makes this easier. Every child is different, but this sleep and feeding schedule will help give you an idea of what could work. 6. Have a pre-nap routine Bedtime routines are important – and naps need them too. Create a short pre-nap process that is a pared-back version of what you do at night. It should be cosy and relaxing, preparing your child for her nap. 7. Keep the light low and encourage quietness Your baby will find it easier to fall asleep and stay that way in a cool, dark, quiet room. To create this ideal sleep environment, check the room isn’t too hot – between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius is ideal. Hang blackout drapes, and use white noise to block out sudden noises. 8. Consistency is key Aim for at least one nap at home during the day – ideally the first of the day. If you’re out and about, the naps aren’t as restful as ones at home, which will lead to your baby becoming overtired. 9. If your baby stops napping, don’t panic Your baby can stop napping for many reasons – illness, teething, a sleep regression, a growth spurt, a developmental leap, or a change in napping schedule. During sleep regressions, your baby or toddler will change their sleeping patterns for the worse. This is exhausting and stressful, but it’s normal. This regressions generally align with big developmental leaps, around 4 months, 8 months, 11 months, 18 months, and 2 years. Nap transitions are when a child’s sleep needs change. Commonly newborns will nap 4-5 times a day, which drops to 4 at about four months old. Then, from 5-8 months, they’ll have around three naps and start resisting the fourth. From 9-18 months this will reduce to two naps a day, and you can expect your child to continue having one (ever shorter!) nap a day until they're about 3. 10. Be kind to yourself Naps are notoriously tricky to manage – your baby won’t have the same sleep pressure during the day as they have at night, so even small things can throw you off course. Like everything else involving babies, be patient with yourself and them. What’s ‘normal’ won’t work for everyone, so give yourself permission to have a bit of trial and error, and allow gentle deviations from the routine when required. Persistence, flexibility and support Naptime doesn’t have to be a struggle. Keep an eye out for sleep regression or nap transitions, and adjust schedules accordingly. Keep persisting, ask your friends and family for help and support, and pay attention to your baby’s natural tendencies. Before long, nap time will be something to look forward to!
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Summer Sleep
Keeping your baby safe and comfortable when it’s hot Summer brings holidays, beach trips, swims and sunshine – but it also brings higher temperatures, which can be hard on your baby’s sleep. Make sure you’re ready by organising your baby’s room, sorting out summer clothing and bedding, and being aware of summer sleep safety while you’re out and about. Cool, comfortable, controlled Babies sleep best at 18-20 degrees Celsius (use a room thermometer to keep track). In the summer months, a baby’s room can rise above this temperature very quickly, even without direct sunlight. Fortunately, there are a few ways to keep your baby’s bedroom cool and comfy. If you have air conditioning or a heat pump with cooling function, simply set it at the right temperature before baby’s bedtime, so the room has time to cool down. If you don’t, a small fan can help with temperature and airflow – just don’t point it directly at your baby. Bonus – the noise of a fan can help some babies drift off. You can also keep the temperature down by leaving the windows open and curtains closed – this lets air circulate, but keeps sunlight out. Just remember to use mesh screens to prevent mosquitoes and other insects coming in. The best baby bedding Summer bedding is pretty straightforward. You’ll need light cotton sheets for the cot, bassinette, or Moses basket, and not much else. Depending on the temperature, your baby may need a cotton top sheet or a light muslin sleeping bag as well. Avoid synthetic fabrics, as these don’t breathe, and can make babies sweaty and uncomfortable. If your baby is very young and still needs to be swaddled, use a thin cotton or muslin swaddle , and consider leaving their legs free to regulate temperature. As always, keep unnecessary toys and blankets out of the bed. Clothing choices For clothing, think loose, light, and cotton. Depending on the heat in your house, your baby can sleep in just a nappy and singlet, or a light sleepsuit. Avoid synthetics, and keep everything loose and breathable. If you’re not sure, check the back of your baby’s neck – if it’s sweaty or hot, remove a layer of clothing or bedding. Out and about Summer means outings and disrupted sleep schedules. If your baby is happy to sleep in the pram or car, you’re lucky – but don’t forget to think about the temperature. Prams can get hot and airless very quickly, so park yours in the shade if your baby is asleep. Carry a mesh pram cover or light muslin throw for extra shade, but always leave an opening to allow air to circulate in the pram. Never use a heavy blanket or cover, as this could prevent airflow – which can be dangerous. In the car, use a sunshade over the window to keep direct sunlight off your baby’s skin. Crack a window or use the air conditioning to keep air flowing inside the car, and never, ever leave your baby asleep in the car alone. The temperature can rise to dangerous levels extremely quickly, even with a window open. Keeping your baby cool and comfortable should help them sleep better and feel happier during the day – so you can both enjoy the fun parts of summer. Get sorted for summer with Dimples’ range of clothing, bedding, and sleep accessories.
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