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Making a Baby First Aid Kit
10 essentials for your baby’s first aid kit Be ready for emergencies and trips away You’ve Pinterested your dream nursery, sussed the decor and ticked off all the big purchases like a cot, pram and capsule. The reality of being responsible for a tiny person can take a while to sink in, and usually, a first aid kit for your baby isn’t top of mind. While you might have a couple of items like a thermometer and tiny nail clippers on your radar, a comprehensive first aid kit will set you up for years to come. It’s also easy to pop in your bag for trips away. Be sure to include these ten essentials: Thermometer – a thermometer you can trust can give you so much assurance. A non-contact thermometer like the NUK Baby Flash Thermometer makes the process super easy, and can even be used to see how hot your baby’s bath or food are too! Nasal decongestant and saline spray – unfortunately, it's only a matter of time before your little one gets their first cold and it usually means trouble feeding and sleeping. Since it’s a good few years until they can learn to blow their nose (usually around aged 2), a nasal decongestant combined with a saline nasal spray can help de-stuff and make feeding and sleeping a little easier. Nail clippers – cutting tiny nails for the first time can be a truly frightening experience and even worse, they seem to grow at lightning speed! Having some specific clippers on hand to keep nails short will prevent him from scratching himself. Emergency contacts – avoid scrambling on your phone by keeping important numbers like PlunketLine , Healthline and your local GP in an easy-to-find spot in your first aid kit – consider taping them to the inside of the lid. Pain relief – some form of over-the-counter pain relief such as liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen in your baby first aid kit can come in handy at all hours of the day or night. While you should always consult a professional (either your GP or an after-hours service) before administering any type of medicine, having this at the ready for fevers and minor aches and pains saves a trip to the pharmacy. An oral syringe – getting medicine into a baby can be tricky. The Haakaa Oral Syringe is an affordable, reusable syringe that is easy to use and easy to clean. Tweezers – even babies can get splinters! Rubbing alcohol swabs – grab a stash of these sterilising wipes to keep thermometers, tweezers and scissors clean. Plasters and antiseptic spray – even before they’re on the move, cuts and scrapes can happen. When they start moving, cuts and scrapes seem to happen every day! Disinfecting these and covering them with a small plaster will help them heal much faster. Gas relief drops – when burping doesn't seem to cut it, try infant gas relief drops. Learn more – take a course In addition to a well-stocked first aid kit for your baby, going along to a course specifically designed for dealing with littlies in an emergency is a great investment. Organisations like Plunket and Red Cross regularly hold affordable short courses designed to give you the confidence and basic skills needed to deal with emergencies until help arrives.
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How to Bath your Baby
Bathing your Newborn - Soothing, safe, and stress-free Bathing your baby is not only important for hygiene reasons, it’s also a great way to calm and relax them before bedtime. But when you first get home with a tiny, delicate newborn, baths can seem daunting. Getting the water temperature right, using the right products, holding a slippery baby securely – it can all be overwhelming if you haven’t done it before. The good news is, bathing is easy, as long as you follow a few simple safety precautions. Even better, you don’t need to bathe small babies every day. In fact, because their skin dries out so easily, too much exposure to water can actually cause irritation. Two to three baths a week is plenty for a newborn – just give them a gentle wash with a flannel on the other days. Here’s our guide to stress-free bathing from day one: 1. Fill your bath First, fill your bath with a few inches of warm water and place it somewhere safe and stable – the floor or kitchen bench works well. These days, there is a range of different baby baths to choose from – traditional models, convenient Flexi baths that pack away when you’re not using them, and the Shnuggle bath , which keeps baby upright in the water. 2. Test the temperature The ideal water temperature is 37°C. Warm and soothing, but not too hot for your baby’s delicate skin. Traditionally, parents test the water with the inside of their wrist, but you can invest in a water thermometer if you want to be sure. 3. Get your gear Before you undress your baby, make sure you have everything you need at arm’s reach – soft flannels or cloths, a gentle body wash , a clean baby towel , a fresh nappy, and PJs . You don’t want to be stuck trying to find something while you’re holding a wet, screaming baby. 4. Bring in the baby Get baby undressed. Before you place them in the water, use a flannel to drizzle a small amount over the back of their head. This way, going in won’t be such a shock. Gently lift your baby into the water, with one arm under their neck to support their head – your hand should be under their arm to make sure that they don't slip down. Keep that hand in place to keep the baby’s head out of the water while your other hand does the washing. If you’re using a Shnuggle bath , the sloping back, and bottom bump will help keep your baby upright, you just need to keep a hand on their chest to stop them slipping down. 5. Cleanse and protect Although some people prefer to stick to water for baby’s first few baths, it won’t necessarily be enough as your baby gets older. Even if they seem perfectly clean, sweat, skin cells, and other impurities can build up – particularly under nappies and in those chubby creases. Use a small amount of gentle cleanser or body wash to get rid of the grime. When their hair starts to grow, use a baby shampoo to keep it shiny and soft. 6. Top to bottom Using a clean, soft muslin cloth , wash baby’s face and head, gently wiping around each eye, around the nose and mouth, and behind the ears. Wash theirhair with cleanser or shampoo, and don’t forget the neck – dirt can build up there. Next, gently wash under their arms, followed by tummy and legs. Finally, wash their genitals and bottom, again making sure to gently wash between thigh creases. Rinse any leftover cleanser with a clean flannel or small cup of water. 7. Time to play If your baby is calm and the water is still warm, keep her in a little bit longer. Use a small jug or cup to pour warm water over their belly and chest, swish the water around them, and give them plenty of smiles – you want them to enjoy bath time right from the start. As they get older, you can add bath toys for them to grab as well. 8. Warm and dry When you’re ready to take baby out of the bath, lie a soft, dry towel on a soft surface or get your partner to hold it out. Use both hands to grasp your baby around their chest, supporting the head with your fingers. Lift them out and quickly wrap him in the towel. Because babies lose a lot of heat from their heads, it’s important to dry their hair first – that’s why hooded towels are a great option. Use the towel or a smaller cloth to carefully dry all your baby’s folds and creases – behind the knees, around the neck, and between the toes. Any moisture left behind could cause skin irritation or redness. 9. Moisturise and protect If your baby’s skin seems dry or irritated, now is the time to use a gentle, natural baby oil or lotion . Use a tiny amount and massage into baby’s skin, avoiding their eyes and nappy area. Before you dress them, it’s also a good idea to use a barrier cream to protect their delicate skin overnight. 10. Pyjama time Finally, dress your baby in a fresh nappy and cosy PJs – bath time is done! Extra safety tips Think about turning your home’s hot water temperature down, to avoid scalding or burns. Clean only what you see – don’t put anything inside baby’s ears or nose, and avoid pulling a baby boy’s foreskin. Never, ever leave baby alone in the bath, even for a second. Looking forward to bathing your newborn soon? Take a look at our baby bathing section for baths, towels, and everything else you need.
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Natural Clothing and Allergies
The best clothing choices for allergies Soft, natural, gentle Babies’ skin is soft, gorgeous – and sensitive. When they’re young, their skin is much thinner and more permeable than that of an adult, which is why it’s so susceptible to irritation and dryness. Although all babies have delicate skin, some have more serious skin conditions like eczema, hives, and other irritations. These increasingly common conditions can be caused or exacerbated by food allergies, and environmental triggers like laundry powders, soaps, and clothing. While the right clothing can’t cure eczema or allergies, it can help reduce the symptoms and make your baby more comfortable. Soft, natural fibres, organic fabrics, chemical-free processing and quality craftsmanship can help. Here’s what to look for: Naturally gentle Eczema-prone skin is irritated by harsh fibres and heat. Synthetic fabrics and thick weaves – like denim or hand-knitted wool – can trap heat, rub against the skin, and make symptoms worse. Look for clothing made of soft, naturally breathable fabric like cotton, linen, and hemp. Although thick wool can be irritating, finely woven merino clothing is gentle enough for most eczema-prone babies. In fact, because merino helps wick away moisture and regulate temperature, it can actually help reduce skin irritation caused by overheating. Choose organic Because babies’ skin is so permeable, it can absorb harsh chemicals from clothing. That’s why it’s important to choose organic fabrics as much as possible. Conventional cotton crops are treated with a range of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides while they’re growing. No matter how much you wash clothing before wear, traces of these chemicals can remain in the fibres and transfer to your baby’s skin, potentially causing allergic reactions or general irritation. Avoid the issue by choosing pure, certified organic cotton as much as you can. Soft colours for soft skin During processing, cotton and other fabrics may be bleached, dyed, and treated with chemicals like softeners, fire retardants, and wrinkle or stain guards. These chemicals are designed to stay in the fibres of the fabric, which means they end up pressed against your baby’s skin, potentially triggering eczema flare-ups or irritation. Often, high-quality organic cotton and merino products are made without these chemicals to avoid these issues, and some manufacturers will list clothing as allergy-friendly or chemical-free. If you’re unsure, choosing white or undyed organic cotton or merino is the best option. Made with care Good craftsmanship is just as important as quality materials. Cheaply made baby and children’s clothing is often ill-fitting, with rough seams and scratchy labels – all highly irritating to sensitive skin. Quality clothing, on the other hand, is designed to fit comfortably. Look for clothing without tight sleeves, elastic at the cuffs, or high necklines – these can all chafe and irritate sensitive skin. Seams should be sewn flat and labels should be printed on the fabric or easy to remove. Go natural for extra care Whether your baby has allergies or not, you can’t go wrong choosing gentle, natural, soft clothing. You’ll keep them warm and comfortable, avoid harsh chemicals, protect their skin, and reduce the risk of irritation. At Dimples, all our baby clothes are made of natural fibres, with quality craftsmanship, comfortable, classic designs and minimal chemicals used in processing. Take a look now.
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Why Buy New Zealand Made Clothes?
From garments more well-travelled than most of us to clothing produced in factories not quite up to scratch – the backstory of what we buy has become an increasingly hot topic. Keeping shopping habits local is an easy way to not only do your bit for the environment but also support the New Zealand economy and the people who live here. Better still, buying New Zealand-made no longer means compromising on quality or choice – in fact, it’s typically quite the opposite! Do it for the birds and the bees (literally) The environmental impact of clothing sourced overseas is huge. Buying local often means reducing ecologically unfriendly packaging, and will certainly cut out vast amounts of fossil fuels in transport. Clothing made in New Zealand also complies with strict guidelines, which is a big win for the environment in an industry that is notoriously hard on the planet – no pesticide and fabric-dye-filled runoff contaminating water supplies here thanks! Feelgood tip – swap those well-travelled goods with locally-made merchandise. Fast fashion or future-friendly? The days of patching worn jeans and sewing up holes in socks are long gone – popping to the shops for a wallet-friendly replacement is just too easy. But with prices so low, something’s got to give – whether it’s the quality of raw materials, worker conditions, or the standard of the finished product. This fast-fashion movement ironically has you popping to the shops for replacements a whole lot more often! All this disposable fashion also becomes a major landfill problem. Synthetic fabrics are much cheaper to produce (they make up about 60% of a typical closet) and can go on to live hundreds of years after parting ways with your wardrobe. On the flip side, buying New Zealand-made means these items live up to local production standards, and are far more likely to survive playground adventures and multiple trips through the washing machine. They might even look good enough to pass on to family or friends once you’re done with them – recycling at its best! Feelgood tip – invest in quality, locally made items that can be passed on. Guilt and hassle-free shopping Shop-a-holics rejoice! If you’re buying locally produced goods, pat yourself on the back for your contribution to the local economy. You’re supporting fair, local employment and helping to keep New Zealand businesses alive and able to compete with the big guys. Shop-a-holics rejoice some more! If you’re buying locally produced goods and have accidentally bought the wrong size for your little one, it’s as easy as popping into a store or a local phone call to fix your problem. Local businesses are usually happy to help (as each customer is important) whereas it’s likely you’re literally one in a million for big global companies. Even finding contact details can be a challenge! Feelgood tip – shopping local simply supports New Zealanders. Dimples' does it differently No compromises here, just adorable, high-quality clothing, using high-quality raw materials, produced by fairly treated Kiwi workers! Our commitment to the environment hasn’t changed as the business has evolved and grown, and neither has our commitment to our workers. All Dimples clothing is made here in New Zealand from locally sourced merino (or from our neighbouring Australian sheep) and pure organic certified cotton (to ensure the impact of cotton farming is minimal). We don’t have a huge factory producing our clothing – instead, our expert sewers work from their homes. It’s essentially a scaled-up version of the small home workshop where it all started. The end result is hard-wearing, long-lasting clothing – that stays looking super cute for longer. Feelgood tip – buy New Zealand made.
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Exercising while pregnant, yay or nay?
Should you exercise while pregnant? Optimise health for you and baby by keeping fit For the majority of women, pregnancy will mean being uncomfortable, one way or another. Research shows that energy expenditure during pregnancy is at the upper limit of what humans can maintain physically — it’s hard work. It’s no surprise that lots of women find it difficult to keep on exercising throughout this – especially when you already have kids running you ragged. But exercise is important for you and your baby’s health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that expectant mums try to complete half an hour of moderate exercise every single day. Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy? Yes. In general, if you were physically active before your pregnancy, you can continue exercising as long as it’s comfortable. But – and this is a big but – pregnancy is not the time to exercise for weight loss. Your goals should be about maintaining your fitness and keeping your muscles in tune, so you’re ready for birth and those early newborn days. Benefits of exercise when pregnant Even if the goal of 30 minutes a day seems unobtainable, try to do something. Here’s why it’ll be worth the effort. You’ll: Be comfier: exercise helps to minimise backaches, bloating, swelling and constipation Stay healthier: exercise can help prevent and control gestational diabetes Have more energy Feel happier Cope with the weight of that big belly better, with improved muscle tone and posture Get better sleep Have an easier time in labour Find it easier to regain your fitness after the baby is born How to exercises safely during pregnancy If you already have an exercise regime, you may not be able to complete it at the same intensity as before. That’s to be expected. Here, we have a variety of options for low-impact fitness. Swimming – Low to no-impact, swimming lets you exercise without feeling the added weight of baby. You’ll relieve stress on joints, alleviate nausea and sciatic pain, and help to reduce water retention. If you’re not a swimmer, try aqua jogging. Just be gentle on yourself and don’t jump or dive into the water. Your baby can’t handle the bubbles that are created inside when you change altitude underwater. Walking – Probably the easiest and cheapest form of exercise is walking. You can do this right up until your due date, you can go as quickly or slowly as you like, and you don’t need any special gear. If you have kids already, walking to the park is a great way to fit exercise into your busy schedule. Running – If you’re already a runner, it’s fine to continue during pregnancy. Whether it’s on a treadmill or outside, whatever you’re used to and feel comfortable doing is fine. However, just be aware that your ligaments and joints will loosen during your pregnancy, which can put you at risk of injury. Group fitness classes – Low-impact workouts are great, from Body Balance to Zumba. They pump your heart rate up, get the blood flowing, and make you feel great. However as your body changes, so does your center of gravity. This can make balancing difficult and jumping can be challenging. Ask the instructor for alternative moves that will accommodate your pregnancy. Excercycling – Using an exercycle is great during pregnancy. It’s low-impact, you can pedal with as much resistance as is comfortable, and with little risk of a fall. You can do spin classes if you tell your instructor you’re pregnant and avoid pressure and standing. Martial arts, kickboxing, pole dancing – If you have been doing these activities for a long time already, it’s fine to continue doing them for as long as it’s comfortable. Avoid impact/pressure to the stomach and stop if you feel uncomfortable. HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) – This can be very intense, so it’s not something you should be trying for the first time during pregnancy. If you’ve been doing it for a while, make some modifications and you should be fine. Avoid jumping and high-impact moves, and use lower weights than normal. Be careful with anything that involves balancing, and stop if you feel short of breath or dizzy. Outdoor sports – Give skiing and snowboarding a miss, because a fall could be catastrophic. Things like ice skating and horseback riding may be fine for the first two trimesters, but once your balance is affected they may become difficult. Pilates, yoga and barre – These are ideal pregnancy exercises. The practitioner should be able to tailor them to suit your needs. Focus on your core, pelvic tilt and floor exercises, core strengthening and flexibility. Look for classes that can be adjusted for pregnant women, as these will require less balance, more breathing focus and appropriate strength exercises. Weightlifting – This is a great way to increase strength and tone. Use lighter weights for more reps and it may be more comfortable to use machines rather than free weights, to help control movements and limit injury. Exercises to avoid Most things are safe, as your baby is nestled in protective fluid in the amniotic sac. However you should avoid: High-impact exercise that you’re not used to Lying flat on your back, as this may put pressure on blood vessels and reduce blood flow Contact sports, such as rugby Skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey or gymnastics, where there is a high risk of falls Scuba diving, as the baby has no ability to avoid gas embolism Anything in high altitudes, as you are more at risk of altitude sickness Exercising in high temperatures, as you may overheat the baby Get moving, mama! If you’re pregnant, exercise is one of the best things you can do for your and your baby’s health. If you’re already active you can continue doing what feels comfortable, unless your sport of choice is high intensity or potentially harmful to baby. Do warmups and cool downs to give you time to adjust and take notice of how your body feels. Adapt exercises to lessen the impact on your body, but in general you can do what feels good. If unsure, please seek advice from your healthcare provider. Make sure you eat enough, drink enough water, and listen to your body. Give your baby the best possible growing environment and the best entry into this world.
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Keep, pass-on or donate.
Keep, pass-on or donate. Here’s something that will be news to no-one: babies grow, and fast! That adorable onesie they came home wearing, the outfit they met their grandparents in, their first birthday party dress… they’re now sitting in storage – boxes of tiny clothes taking up room. That clutter helps no one, but there’s another downside to storing clothes – it actually damages them. Even if you wash and dry clothes thoroughly and store them in a dry, dark place, it’s likely they will suffer. Protein stains from drool, milk spills and spit-up get embedded in the clothing. If they’re in regular use, the marks are kept at bay, but in storage, they develop into yellow and brown stains. Most of these become permanent and are resistant to cleaning. Elastic and stretchy clothes will lose their elasticity, especially if they’re stored in a warm environment. So, baby clothes need to come out of storage, but how do you tell if they’re keepsakes, hand-me-downs or ready to be donated? We’ve made things simple with a checklist of things to consider before adding an item to the ‘keep’ pile. Donate or pass on, if the clothes are: Super girly or masculine If you have non-neutral clothes, it might not be smart to keep them for future children, unless you’re really comfy blurring gender lines. The chance of having that same-gender again is only 50/50. Very tiny There’s no way of knowing how big your next baby will be. If you had a premie the first time around, that 10lb second baby (ouch) won’t ever fit those tiny clothes. Strictly seasonal While high-quality merinos will suit most seasons, it’s best to get rid of anything that’s very heavy, or very light – light blousy dresses, or heavy jackets. If your next child is born at a different time of year, he’ll have outgrown the items before the weather gets cool or warm enough to wear them. Damaged or stained If you wouldn’t put your baby in the clothes now, don’t expect your mind to change later. Really useful to someone else Whether they’re a permanent donation to the Salvation Army or a loaner to close family or friends, they’re doing more good being used. Keep if the clothes are: Emotionally significant Perhaps your next baby won’t ever wear that tiny beanie, but you can’t bear to part with it. Some precious items are worth holding onto, for the memories. Versatile If something will work across seasons, genders, and is stretchy to accommodate growth, it might be worth keeping – you’ll have a better shot of getting your next baby into it at some point. Clean, tidy and high quality Everything you keep should look almost new. This means you’re more likely to still have some wearable things when the next baby comes along, even after being stored for a few years. When should you let those baby clothes go? Letting go can sometimes be difficult – it can be farewelling some happy moments in your life. That includes maternity clothes too – even if you ended up really hating those stretchy jeans, saying goodbye feels like letting go of that precious time. Many of us keep clothes well beyond any useful point if they hold beautiful memories. If this is you, then it’s time to make some choices. Keep a few outfits that are really important to you and have some lovely memories attached. You can even have some items made into a special memory quilt or cushion, so you can have them forever in a useful way. Then give away the rest. You’ll have your storage space again, you can feel good helping out another mother, and know that clothing will be used again to create happy memories for someone else.
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We are on the Move!
Lots more space just across the road! Dimples' has an exciting announcement – and it's a little different to your usual gender-reveal party. We're on the move! Although our current space has served us well, it's time to move out of the small (sometimes, let's face it, a bit cramped) retail store on 14 Kent Street in Newmarket. We're headed to a bigger, newer, prettier space – just across the road at 25 Kent Street. Here's everything you need to know about the new space and what you can expect when the doors open on Tuesday, 3rd September. More range in-store With more space, you'll be able to see and touch far more products in real life! We'll still have all of your favourites, along with products that use to be only available online and all-new brands! You can also expect brand new displays, making it easier for you to find the beautiful, practical things you need to make your baby's first years ever-so-sweet. With the release of our new store, Dimples will also be releasing the first-ever New Zealand Stokke and Nuna flagship store! Offering a first-class brand experience where the full range of products take centre stage. Easy parking Don't worry about getting lost trying to find our new store – it's just across the road from our old location at 14 Kent Street. You'll find plenty of free customer parking right outside, too, so you can drive on up and come straight in. More staff to help you Getting ready for a new arrival, whether it be your first or fourteenth, can be overwhelming. But with the right help, shopping for a new baby should be enjoyable! That's why in our new store you'll find more staff to show you around, answer your questions, and help you choose the right things. Setting up your nursery from scratch? You'll now also be able to book a consultation with one of our team members, who can take you through everything you'll need for your new baby. And with the launch of our new store, we now have 6-month interest free finance options available! Keep bubs safe – expert car seat installation A must-do before the new bubba arrives is getting your car seat installed. We'll have qualified car-seat installers on-site, so you can drive away knowing your car seat is correctly – and safely – affixed. We can't wait to show you around This is a big move for Dimples – and our loyal customers – and we can't thank you enough for being a part of our journey so far. We're eager to open our new store – we've been squeezed into a small space for a long time, and we're ready to give our products the room they deserve. We're currently still in the design process, but we can guarantee our new shop will look and feel different in all good ways. We hope you love it just as much as we do. Stay tuned for more opening information – we can't wait to see you there!
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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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Pros and cons of getting a nanny
A nanny or not? That is the question It could be the best decision you ever make So, you’re ready to go back to work – now comes the sticky question of who looks after the kids. You’ve got plenty of options, all with different pros and cons, including daycare, home-based care and family members helping out. Not often explored in NZ is the option of getting a nanny. While some families think they’re the best thing since sliced bread, it’s not the right solution for everyone. Advantages of hiring a nanny No more frantic mornings It’s hard enough getting yourself out the door, let alone an unwilling toddler, or a baby who always seems to need changing at the wrong time. With your nanny around, frantic mornings are gone. It’ll be as simple as getting yourself ready and kissing your baby’s goodbye. One-on-one care It’s comforting to know that yours is the only kid (or kids!) your nanny has to worry about. There are no other crying babies to attend to, so they have the nanny’s attention all the time. That means your children’s emotional, physical and developmental needs are there first priority. Your children will also be at home in their own space – a far more relaxing environment than a Daycare Centre. Flexibility A nanny’s hours will usually be more flexible than daycare. Rather than rigid schedules, you’ll work to understand how flexible the nanny’s hours are, and how you can handle abrupt changes of plans. No more last-minute calls to daycare or paying through the nose for late pick-ups. Less illness Daycare is a breeding ground for coughs, colds and other childhood illnesses. By keeping your child away from other children, you’re avoiding a host of health issues, which is better for everyone in the family. Help in the home Imagine coming back to a tidy home, washing done and the kids fed. Nannies don’t just look after the kids – they can also help around the house too. The level of extra duties will depend on how many kids they are looking after, so it’s best to detail these from the start. No-compromise approach to care If you parent a certain way or believe in certain approaches, it can be difficult to let others look after your child when they don’t share your values or views. When you hire a nanny, you can choose someone who already fits your family, and then ask them to closely align with your parenting style. Daycare, homebased care or family members won’t give you nearly the same level of oversight and control. Disadvantages of a nanny You’re reliant on just one person If the nanny quits unexpectedly – or is unwell – you may be stranded with no other childcare options. A daycare is always open! Less social interaction Socialization is important for your child’s future. Daycare means your child has daily contact with peers but staying at home with the nanny means your child may miss out. To combat this, you could ask your nanny to schedule playdates, outings, and music or swimming classes. A bit pricier A nanny will need to be paid at least the minimum wage, which is $23.15 an hour – although you should expect to pay up to $30 an hour for a good one. That means a ten-hour day will cost at least $231.50, or $1,157.50 for a five-day week, which is a lot more expensive than your average daycare. If you have two or more kids, a nanny becomes a more economical option – you’ll pay the same hourly rate, regardless of the number of children (within reason!), but you pay per child for daycare. If the nanny can help out by doing some housework each day, the equation becomes even more attractive. More paperwork If you employ someone directly, you may have to pay PAYE and other employer-related taxes and benefits. You also need to be familiar with the Holidays Act and Employment Relations Act. Working through a nanny agency can solve some of these problems – they’ll handle the paperwork but may add a fee. Lack of privacy This person will be in your home, all day, with no other adult there. Some people may struggle with this and feel like they are losing their privacy. Questionable qualifications How do you know you can trust this person with your child? In NZ, there’s a Certificate in Nanny Education, a globally-recognised qualification. This qualification ensures they have the theoretical and practical knowledge to look after your children. But nannying doesn’t require qualifications – they could be studying towards an early childhood career or have no qualifications at all. You’ll need to do your homework to check up on potential nannies – even if they seem to tick all the boxes. Ready to find a nanny? If you’ve decided a nanny is the best option for your family, there are plenty of places you can find one. There are umbrella organizations that act as agencies to connect nannies and families. You could also advertise online or ask around your community for recommendations. Remember to check references thoroughly and perhaps conduct a paid trial to see if the nanny and your kids get along. Get it right, though, and a nanny could be an amazing addition to your family.
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