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Choosing a Baby Name
Small baby, big decision 10 tips for choosing the right baby name Thinking about baby names can be one of the best parts of pregnancy – or the worst. Some parents agree on a name quickly, while others agonise over popularity, spelling, flow, and family names. Some announce the name early on, others wait to meet their baby before making the final decision. No matter where you fall on the baby-naming spectrum, you might need a bit of help when you’re first starting out. Here are our top ten naming tips: 1: Check the family tree If you’re struggling to find names you love, your family can be a good place to start looking. You could choose to honour a living relative with a namesake or look further back to find an unusual or classic option. Either way, a family name can be a nice way to connect your child with their history. 2: Consider your surname Choosing your future child’s last name can narrow down your options for first names. Whether you go the traditional route and pass on the father’s name, switch things around by passing on the mother’s, hyphenate, or combine the two into an entirely new name, it’s important to have it sorted before you start thinking about first names. When you are considering firsts, write the options down with the surname and say them out loud – some names simply don’t sound right with some surnames, and others can create embarrassing phrases or words when said aloud. It’s better to find out before you name that adorable baby. 3: Don’t worry (too much) about popularity Some parents want a solid, well-known name for their child – others dread meeting another baby with the same name. Remember that popularity isn’t what it used to be. Because the spread of baby names is much broader than it once was, the top ten names are not used for nearly as many babies as they used to be. It’s more about luck and location – if you live in a trendy suburb, your Archie or Lucinda could be one of three in the class, while children with once-common names like Thomas and Lucy stand out. 3: Nickname or not? These days, more and more parents are choosing to give their children longer names without using a nickname. Once you’ve established that you don’t call your child by a nickname, most people tend to accept that decision and move along. But, as he gets older, your child could end up choosing a nickname for himself, so it’s worth considering the possibility. If you adore the name Timothy but hate Tim, it’s probably best to keep looking. 4: Spelling mistakes Many parents choose to alter the spelling of a name because they like the alternative better, or because they want their child to stand out. Although there’s nothing really wrong with changing the spelling, tread carefully – complicated or unusual spelling choices can end up being more trouble than they’re worth. Not only will you end up spelling the name and correcting people frequently, but your child will need to deal with misspellings when they grow up. 5: Ask around When you’re a first-time parent, popularity can be hard to gauge, unless you happen to be a teacher or paediatrician. Many parents make the mistake of thinking a choice is uncommon because they don’t know anyone with the name, but forget that their thirty-something friends don’t represent the current crop of babies and toddlers. If you’re concerned about popularity, ask your teacher and parent friends for help. They’ll be able to tell you whether Mia is really the unique choice you think it is, or whether they already know three little girls with that name. 6: Unfortunate initials For most people, initials are pretty far down the list of baby-name considerations. And in most cases, they don’t really matter. But do have a quick look at your first, middle, and last initial choices, particularly if you’re using a middle name that starts with a vowel. Peter Ian Gibson, Anastasia Sara Smith, and Fiona Amy Thompson are all perfectly lovely names – with not-so-lovely initials. Although it can be hard to give up a beloved name, it’s probably better to find out earlier, rather than later. 7: Future focus The more children you have, the harder it can be to choose names. That’s why, if you’re planning on more than one, it’s smart to consider sibling names at the same time. You don’t have to decide on full names for four future children, just think about your naming style and whether you have enough options to fit. If you love the name Echo for your first, but usually prefer more mainstream choices like Lucas and Mila, think about whether those names will work together. On the other hand, many parents don’t care about sibling name co-ordination, so it’s really a matter of personal taste. 8: Test it out It’s easy to come up with a list of names you like, but harder to imagine whether they’ll work in real life. Once you’re down to a couple of choices, testing the name can be a good way to figure out how you feel about it. Use the name at a coffee shop or when you order takeaways – does it sound good out loud? Do you have to spell it? Do people understand it's the first time? If you’re too embarrassed to even use the name, that’s good information as well. The yell test is another good one: shout the name across your garden or a crowded playground. Is it easy to say? Does it feel natural or odd? It’s not about how other people react, it’s about whether you can realistically use the name yourself. 9: Google it One of the final tests for a baby name is Google. Once you have the first and last choices sorted, it’s worth a quick Google search to see whether there’s a serial killer or other unfortunate association with the full name. Some parents also use a search engine to check out how unusual the name really is – and it’s not about avoiding popularity. In theory, if your child’s first and last names are unique, it can be a negative, as he won’t have the luxury of online anonymity. But, as always, this is a matter of personal opinion. 10: Your baby, your choice Ultimately, your baby’s name is up to you and your partner. It can be useful to get feedback from trusted friends or relatives but don’t set too much store by other people’s opinions. No one name is going to please everyone, and since you’re the ones making the baby, it’s really your choice. Many couples choose not to share names before the birth to avoid unwanted opinions – and once there’s a gorgeous baby with the name, people are far less likely to be negative. Preparing for your baby’s arrival? Check out our advice on everything from sleep to strollers here.
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Late Pregnancy Comfort
The baby countdown 8 ways to ease discomfort at the end of pregnancy For most women, the last months of pregnancy aren’t exactly comfortable. Your baby is large and heavy, which puts pressure on your organs, joints, and muscles, causing pain and discomfort. Eating can be difficult because your stomach is constricted, and you may have very low energy levels. Even worse, it can be tricky to get enough sleep – your changing body can make it hard to get comfortable in bed. Even if it seems endless at the time, pregnancy doesn’t last forever. And while you are coping with the various aches and pains of late pregnancy, there are a few ways to make yourself more comfortable (or less uncomfortable, at least). Here’s our guide to getting through the last few weeks: 1: Better sleep There are a few options when it comes to getting comfy at night. Many women swear by pregnancy-specific body pillows that help support the belly, while others use a couple of standard pillows – one under the stomach, one between the legs – to help them find a comfortable sleeping position. You can also try sleeping in a different place – a couch or recliner could be more comfortable than a flat mattress. 2: Nap time Whether you’re sleeping at night or not, a daytime nap can make a huge difference to your energy levels. Of course, if you’re working full time or have older children, this may not be so easy. If you can’t nap, lie down as much as you can – this takes pressure off your hips and lower back. 3: Ask for help There’s no shame in asking for help. Get your partner to tie your shoes or rub your back, ask friends or family to babysit older children so you can nap, and consider using a meal delivery or cleaning service to take some of the pressure off. 4: Food choices Try to eat a good breakfast with a mix of proteins, fats, and carbs, to help give you the energy you need to make it through the day. The rest of the time, you may want to eat smaller, more frequent meals – if the baby is constricting your stomach, it can be uncomfortable to eat full-size meals. 5: Make time for movement Now is not the time to hit the gym, but some form of gentle exercise can help relieve bloating, ease aching muscles, and boost your energy. Slow walks are a good option, and swimming is even better – it won’t impact your joints, and because you’re supported by water, the heaviness and pressure on your body is temporarily alleviated. 6: Pain points Many women suffer from back and hip pain in late pregnancy. Warm baths or showers, foam rollers and back rubs, and even gentle pregnancy-yoga can help lessen this discomfort. Or try sitting backwards in a chair, with your arms on the backrest and your belly on the seat. This gives your belly support, and relieves the pressure on your lower back for a few precious minutes. 7: Stress less Physical comfort isn’t the only thing that suffers in late pregnancy. The last weeks before birth can be a time of stress and anxiety, particularly the first time around. It’s a good idea to read about the birth process and talk to experts, but try not to listen to birth stories shared by friends and family. People love to share their horror stories, but they’re more likely to scare you than help you prepare for your own birth. 8: Take it easy Give yourself permission to take it easy for the last month or two. The house doesn’t need to be perfectly tidy, older kids will survive with a bit more screen time, and you don’t need to entertain friends or go to every social event on the calendar if you don’t feel up to it. Don’t forget to treat yourself too – you might want to do some online shopping or send your partner out for your favourite snacks. There’s nothing wrong with staying in and focusing on your comfort for a few weeks. When the waiting is over and your baby finally arrives, everything changes. Be prepared for bringing your newborn home with our Essentials Checklist here .
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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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Summer smart, right from the start
Keeping little ones safe this summer After a long, cold, virus-heavy winter, many parents will be looking forward to summer – warmer days, fewer illnesses, and time outside with the kids. But after last year’s record-high temperatures, it’s important to remember that summer has dangers too. Babies, with their delicate skin and inability to regulate temperature, are particularly sensitive to harsh sun and heat. Make sure you’re aware and prepared before summer starts, so you can protect your wee ones – no matter how hot it gets. Here’s our summer safety toolkit: Safer with sunscreen Babies and small children have delicate skin that burns easily, so sunscreen is a non-negotiable in the summer months. Even if your children hate the application process, it’s still something that has to be done. If you make it a regular part of their morning routine, they’ll get used to it eventually. • Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30+ at minimum. • Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you go outside, and remember to reapply every 3-4 hours. • Use plenty – apply sunscreen thickly, and don’t miss areas like the back of the arms or ears. • Keep bottles of sunscreen everywhere – the car, the baby bag, grandparents’ house – so you’re never caught without it. • Don’t forget sunscreen on cloudy days – 80% of rays penetrate through cloud cover, so you can still get burnt. Buy the Made 4 Baby SPF50 Natural Sunscreen HERE . Shade solutions Sunscreen is a must if you’re out in the sunshine, but it’s not the only way to prevent sunburn or overheating. Staying indoors or in the shade during the hottest part of the day helps you avoid the heat altogether while dressing appropriately keeps you – and your children – safe and comfortable. • Try to avoid the sun between 11am-4pm, when UV rays are strongest. • Dress your children in loose, dark-coloured or UV-protective clothing and swimwear – the sun’s rays can penetrate light, thin fabrics. • Choose long-sleeved swimwear. • Make sure your babies and children always wear hats – full brim is best. • Use a sunshade or cover for your pram – but make sure it’s not preventing airflow to your baby, or she could overheat. • Use a shade cloth or stick-on shade in the car, to keep your baby’s seat out of the sun. Check out our range of Cotton Products Here Overheating and hydration During the summer months, it’s important to keep babies and children hydrated and cool as much as possible. Because they’re less developed than adults, babies and small children can’t regulate their body temperature properly, which means they’re more susceptible to overheating. During record high temperatures, overheating and dehydration can be a real concern for smaller babies. Although it’s less common in New Zealand’s fairly temperate climate, babies have died of heat exhaustion in extreme weather • Keep small children indoors, preferably with air conditioning on, during very high temperatures. • Make sure children drink plenty of fluids – homemade ice-blocks are a great way to get more liquid into them. • Give breastfed babies more frequent feeds – your milk will naturally be less concentrated to keep your baby hydrated. Drink more water yourself. • Bottle-fed babies should also be given more feeds – you can offer small amounts of water if you’re concerned about dehydration. • Dress babies and children lightly for sleep, and use a fan or air conditioning to keep the temperature in their room down. • Never leave a baby or child alone in the car, as temperatures can rise extremely rapidly. • If your baby or child is showing signs of dehydration or heatstroke – including lethargy, a dry mouth, fewer wet nappies, or a sunken fontanelle – seek medical treatment immediately. If it all sounds a bit alarming, don’t worry. Summer should be a time of fun and relaxation, even when you do have small children. As long as you’re aware and well prepared, you – and your wee ones – should be fine. Don't Forget the Sunscreen! Buy Sun Lotion Here
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When Pets Meet Babies
Welcoming Your Baby and Fur Baby Together 🐾👶 For many families, pets are our first “babies” – loyal companions who’ve shared the couch, the bed, and plenty of milestones. So when a new human baby comes along, it’s natural to worry about how everyone will adjust. The good news? With a bit of preparation and kindness, your pet and baby can build a beautiful bond from the very beginning. Start with Your Pet’s Personality 🐶🐱 Every animal is different, and how you prepare depends on your pet’s species, temperament, and past experiences. While goldfish or guinea pigs usually require little adjustment, cats and dogs can be more sensitive to the changes a baby brings – new sounds, smells, routines, and less attention. If your pet hasn’t spent much time around children, consider slowly exposing them to baby-related sounds (like crying or giggling) using recordings beforehand. This can help desensitise them and reduce anxiety once baby is home. A Gentle Introduction is Key Before baby arrives, introduce your pet to baby items like the pram, cot, or bassinet. Let them explore at their own pace so these new additions don’t feel overwhelming later. You can even go for practice walks with the pram to help your dog get used to the change. When baby comes home, offer your pet something with baby’s scent – like a swaddle or hat – before the first face-to-face meeting. For dogs, initial introductions should be calm and ideally on leash, in a neutral space like the front yard. For cats, allow them to approach in their own time and retreat when they’ve had enough. Reward your pet for calm, gentle behaviour with treats or praise to create positive associations with baby. Safety First – Always 💛 No matter how friendly or socialised your pet is, never leave them alone with your baby. Even well-meaning pets can act unpredictably when startled or stressed. Cats may try to jump into the bassinet to cuddle up, which can be dangerous. Consider using a cat net over the cot or keeping the nursery door closed. For dogs, teach them to respect baby’s space and avoid licking or nudging the baby. Once your baby becomes mobile, always supervise interactions and start gently teaching respectful handling – this not only keeps everyone safe but helps your child grow up with empathy and confidence around animals. Create Safe Spaces for Everyone As your household routine shifts, pets will appreciate having a quiet, baby-free zone to retreat to. Use pet gates or closed doors to keep their food, bedding, and litter trays separate. This not only protects your pet’s resources but keeps curious toddlers away from things they shouldn’t be touching (or tasting!). Make sure escape routes like cat doors are secure, and create high perches or quiet corners where your cat can safely observe without feeling overwhelmed. Managing Allergies and Cleanliness Pet hair is a common allergen, and while it’s impossible to know if your baby is sensitive right away, there are a few preventative steps you can take: Vacuum regularly (a pet-specific vacuum can help). Bathe or groom your pet as advised by your vet. Keep pets off nursery furniture and out of the baby’s sleeping space. Consider using an air purifier in high-traffic areas. It’s also a good idea to wash baby’s hands after contact with your pet – especially once they start crawling! Don’t Forget About Your Pet’s Routine ❤️ Newborns take up a lot of time and energy – and pets can sometimes feel left out. Sticking to familiar routines, like walks, feeding times, and play, helps them feel secure. Enlist friends or family to help out with dog walking or play sessions, especially in those early weeks. Cats benefit from mental stimulation too – puzzle feeders or interactive toys can be great for independent play. Some parents also find that having their pet involved in small baby routines (like sitting nearby during nappy changes or walks in the pram) can help strengthen the bond early on. Growing Together: A Bond Like No Other With time, patience, and gentle consistency, your baby and fur baby will adapt to each other – and may even become inseparable friends. Watching them grow up side by side is one of life’s simple joys 🥰 If you’re getting ready to welcome a baby into your home and have questions about creating a calm, safe space for both little ones and furry friends, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team or pop into your local Dimples store – we’re always happy to help.
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From Hobby to 'Family' Business
As the first few of her fourteen children came along, our founder Jane Anne McAllister found that store-bought clothes just didn’t have the quality she wanted for her babies. They also lacked the strength to endure being passed from one baby to the next and still look good, or even stay intact. So she sourced the best fabrics and began making her baby clothes, lovingly embroidering each item by hand. That was the start of Dimples. Founded in 1992, today, we still dedicate the same care and time that Jane gave to those first garments. We’re one of the few clothing companies that still manufacture in NZ, which lets us make sure each garment is of the highest quality. It also means that our manufacturing is inherently ethical – no unknown, offshore factories with little oversight of working conditions, wages or environmental issues. So who makes our clothes? Our sewing machinists are part of our family, and all highly-skilled craftspeople. Karen has been with us for about seven years, putting her five decades of experience into every garment. Meet Karen – a Dimples sewer As a teenager, Karen finished school in December and reached school-leaving age in January, with dreams of training as a hairdresser. Her parents had other ideas – the hairdressing job didn’t start until mid-February, and they weren’t having her underfoot with nothing to do all that time. “I had to do what my parents told me to. So they marched me into town and got me a sewing job, and that’s where I stayed. I started in the city – 50 years ago. Yes, it was a craft.” ‘Made-in-NZ’ – an endangered species Back when Karen started her working life, a trained machinist could walk out of one job and into another almost immediately. That’s changed now. Textile, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing make up only 5% of New Zealand’s manufacturing sector, down from 8% in 2008. [1] The number of jobs filled by paid employees in the clothing and knitted-product manufacturing industry fell nearly 60 percent – from 9,550 to 4,120 between 1986 and 2012 [2] . Taking pride in the quality As a professional machinist, Karen says the shift towards international production might make clothes cheaper, but they’re often very poorly constructed. The difference, she says, is that she was trained to complete a whole garment rather than doing piece-work. International garment factories tend to have a group of people just sewing collars, cuffs or hems, for example. “Everything’s done on the big stitch, no back-tacking. Within weeks the seams come apart.” At Dimples, we can turn out high-quality garments because we employ craftspeople like Karen – they have very high standards and the skills to back it up. Karen, in particular was known for her precision and was often used as a sample machinist. “Everything had to be spot on. It was an example – then other sewers had to make it exactly like the sample.” The Dimples family The inclusive culture we foster at Dimples helps our engaged and committed staff produce their best work in a happy, supportive atmosphere. Karen truly thinks the Dimples ‘family’ are lovely people to work for. “I’ve worked for a lot of people, and some of the other bosses were terrible. But Jane is just fantastic. When my grandkids were born, I got a beautiful gift for each baby. At Dimples, they care about you. They’re just nice people.”
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