Simply Parenting
Simply Parenting
SKU:DWBOOK2
In stock
Couldn't load pickup availability
Overview
Overview
Simply Parenting: From 12 Weeks to 12 Months picks up where Dorothy’s first book You Simply Can’t Spoil a Newborn left off, outlining all the parenting options from the end of the newborn stage until the beginning of toddlerhood, using matter-of-fact language to gently guide you to make the decisions that are right for you and your baby.
Whether you want to try the routine-based approach or if it suits you better to be more flexible - regardless of whether you are breast or bottle-feeding, co-sleeping or swaddling - this book outlines all the options clearly and without judgment. After all, there truly is no ‘one way fits all’, and no one is more of an expert on your baby than you.
Simply Parenting will help you to become your own baby’s whisperer.
Delivery and Returns
Delivery and Returns
- Delivery: Free within NZ on orders over $100 (excluding bulky items) or $8 standard shipping
- Returns: Accepted within 14 days of receipt with proof of purchase
- Some items are excluded from returns including sale items, hardware, car seats, prams, monitors and personal items - please click here for the full list.
Share this product
Recently Viewed Products
Related Blogs
Beginning your baby on solid foods
Starting Solids: A New Chapter in Your Baby’s Feeding Journey Introducing your baby to solids is an exciting milestone for both of you! It’s a time for new tastes, textures, and the inevitable messes that come with it. But as your baby reaches the six-month mark, it’s time to introduce them to new foods to complement their milk diet. For the first six months, your baby relies on iron stores from the womb and breast milk or formula. But as those iron stores begin to deplete, solids are needed to boost their nutrition. It’s recommended to continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding alongside solids until your baby is 12 months old. Solids at this stage complement, rather than replace, their milk feeds. You can also start offering small amounts of water after six months, either in a sippy cup or with meals, to help your baby stay hydrated as they transition to solids. Signs Your Baby Might Be Ready for Solids Here are some signs to watch for that indicate your little one is ready to start eating solids: They seem hungry after milk feeds Can sit up with support and hold their head steady Show interest in your food, possibly reaching out or opening their mouth Make chewing motions when they see food Open their mouth when a spoon comes near The right Approach for Your Baby There are different ways to approach weaning. Spoon-feeding (offering purées or mashed foods), Baby-led weaning with finger food or a combination of both. There is no one "perfect" approach. The best method is the one that feels safe, enjoyable, and sustainable for your family. This book by Annabel Karmel is a great resource, filled with advice and recipes.. What matters most is offering nutritious foods (including iron-rich options), sharing pressure-free, positive mealtime experiences and supervising baby around food. With patience, consistency, and a little flexibility, you'll be helping your baby build a lifelong healthy relationship with food. Baby’s First Taste: Making Mealtimes Memorable Starting solids can be an exciting and slightly messy adventure! You can begin with simple, iron-rich foods to complement their milk diet, such as: Iron-fortified rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula Purées of cooked vegetables like pumpkin, kūmara, or carrot Mashed avocado – easy to prepare and great for baby’s first tastes Purée of cooked apple or pear – mild, easy-to-digest options Purée of cooked chicken or beef – an excellent way to introduce iron A fantastic way to offer baby their first tastes is with the b.box Silicone Fresh Food Feeder. Simply pop in soft fruits or steamed vegetables, and let baby explore with a self-feeding method that doubles as teething relief. Make Mealtimes Easier with the Right Tools The right tools can make the journey into solids so much easier – and a little less messy! The Zazi Clever Spoon Set is designed for tiny hands, and paired with the Clever Bowl with Lid, they're perfect for portioning, feeding, and storing leftovers. The b.box Roll + Go Mealtime Mat keeps the mess contained, while the classic Mum2Mum Wonder Bib or the Mum2Mum Sleeved Wonder Bib makes sure your baby’s outfit stays clean, even on the messiest of days. After all, less laundry means more cuddle time! Moving to Mash As your baby approaches seven months, they’ll likely be ready to try foods with a thicker consistency. Offer them mashed or fork-mashed foods like ripe banana, avocado, small pasta pieces, or cooked egg. These textures are easy for your baby to swallow and great for practicing chewing. At this stage, avoid harder lumps like whole peas, which can pose a choking risk. Embracing Independence Around 8 Months Around eight months, your baby may begin showing an interest in feeding themselves. They may grab the spoon and try to feed themselves – it’s messy, but it’s also a great opportunity for developing their hand-eye coordination. Give them a chance to explore, but always stay close by to offer a helping hand (and a napkin)! We’re Here to Help At Dimples, we know starting solids can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re always here to support you with expert advice and product recommendations. Visit us in-store or contact our friendly team for any questions – we’ve got everything you need to make this adventure as fun and easy as possible.
Learn more
Safely Co-Sleeping with your baby
Co-Sleeping With Your Newborn: What It Really Means 💤 The term co-sleeping simply means having your baby sleep in the same room as you. While it can be a hot topic among parents, co-sleeping doesn’t have to mean sharing your bed. It’s often about finding ways to be close, while keeping baby safe in their own sleep space. Every family is different, and your approach to sleep might look different to your friend’s. That’s perfectly okay. Some parents find that co-sleeping helps with easier night-time feeds, supports milk supply, and even helps everyone get a little more shut-eye. There’s also strong evidence that sleeping in the same room as your baby reduces the risk of SIDS. Bedside Bassinets: A Safe Way to Co-Sleep 👶 Room-sharing doesn’t mean bed-sharing. A great alternative is using a bedside bassinet, which allows your baby to sleep safely in their own space, right beside you. This setup gives you easy access for feeding or settling in the night, without having to get out of bed. If you’ve decided co-sleeping works best for your family, Dimples offers some thoughtful, safe-sleep options to support your journey. Shnuggle Air Crib: Comfort and Versatility 🌙 The Shnuggle Air Light Bedside Crib makes co-sleeping easier and safer. Designed to function as both a standard bassinet and a bedside sleeper, you can drop one side of the crib for quick access to your baby at night. A raised edge remains in place to prevent any accidental rolling, so baby stays safely in their own space. With adjustable height settings, you can align the crib perfectly with your bed. Its dual-view mesh sides help with airflow and visibility, so you can always keep an eye on your little one. It also includes a hypo-allergenic fibre mattress, which is 50% more breathable than standard foam and firm enough to support safe newborn sleep. And when your baby is ready for a cot? The Shnuggle Air Crib can transition with them. Just add the cot conversion kit and you’ll have a longer-term sleep solution without needing to invest in multiple beds. SnuzPod5 Bedside Bassinet: Style Meets Safety 🛏️ The SnuzPod5 is another excellent option for co-sleeping families. Designed with both parents and babies in mind, this award-winning bedside bassinet keeps your little one close while offering smart safety features and modern style. Its standout ComfortAir™ system helps regulate temperature and airflow through 3D breathable mesh sides and a perforated base. The zip-down wall means you can lift baby out for feeds without straining, while the bassinet stays safely anchored next to your bed. The SnuzPod5 fits more beds than ever before thanks to its adjustable height settings. The improved rocking stand allows for gentle motion to help soothe baby to sleep, or you can lock it in place when needed. With a reflux incline feature, washable fabrics, and thoughtful touches like a lightweight lift-off bassinet for daytime naps, the SnuzPod5 supports safe, convenient sleep from day one. Choosing What’s Right for Your Family 💛 There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to co-sleeping. What matters most is that your baby sleeps safely, whether that’s right beside your bed or in their own room. At Dimples, we’re here to support your sleep choices with a range of trusted, newborn-safe bassinets and cots to suit your lifestyle. Whether you're looking for convenience, flexibility, or long-term value, you'll find something that helps both you and your baby rest easier.
Learn more
Pregnancy stages – First Trimester
Welcome, little bean Here’s what happens during your first trimester of pregnancy. You’re pregnant! Congrats – this is both an unbelievably special moment, and one that’s totally ordinary. It should come as a comfort to you that while this may be your first time pregnant, there are billions of women who have gone before you. The first thing to remember about pregnancies is that each is unique – our founder Jane Anne had 14 children and tells us that none of her pregnancies were the same. There are, however, some things you can predict. Most women experience similar things at similar stages, and you can expect your baby to grow and develop at predictable periods. The first trimester begins at the official date of conception, which oddly enough is counted from about two weeks before you actually conceive. That’s because doctors count from the date of your last period – you’ll have ovulated and conceived about two weeks after, but there’s no way of knowing exactly when. What happens to your body? During the first trimester, your baby’s development is at its most visibly startling, developing from a cluster of cells into something that looks pretty much human in a matter of weeks. That takes a lot of effort – and hormones – on the part of your body. While most women won’t start to show until the second trimester (and a bit earlier if this isn’t your first pregnancy), many women feel very pregnant very quickly – bloat can look a lot like a pregnancy belly. Some other symptoms you may experience are: Feeling really tired Sore and swollen breasts and nipples Morning sickness (that actually appears around the clock!) Food cravings or aversions Mood swings Constipation Needing to pee more Headaches Indigestion Weight gain or loss Such glamour! But don’t worry – this is only a short-lived period in your pregnancy. It gets easier. The best way to manage it is to stay as healthy as possible. Eat and sleep well, and get as much gentle exercise as you can manage. That means you may need to go to bed earlier, cut out foods that make you queasy, eat smaller meals more frequently, and shift away from high-impact exercises to walking, swimming, and yoga. For many women, morning sickness peaks in weeks 8 and 9 and then will begin to taper off – along with their other symptoms – as they head into the second trimester (counted from 12 weeks). What’s going on in there? Your baby is getting busy! These early weeks are when your baby is building all the components of its body. By week 12, your baby will look like a person (just with odd proportions). At four weeks, your baby is still called an embryo. At a teeny tiny 0.5cm long, your baby has already begun work on its brain, spinal cord, and heart. Four little buds have sprouted, which will eventually become legs and arms. By week eight, your baby is 2.5cm and is now officially a fetus. All major organs are under development (hello, tiny lungs) and the heart has begun to beat. Little details are underway too – fingers and toes (with minuscule nails!) sex organs and facial features. The end of the first trimester is marked by the beginning of week 12. At this point, your baby is about 7.5cm long, with nerves and muscles that work together (which is why some parents catch their little one sucking a thumb on scans!) Eyelids close and won’t open again until about week 28. If you could peer inside, you’d see that your baby looks quite a lot like… a baby! The head, however, is still a lot bigger in proportion to the body and the arms and legs are still quite short. What happens next? Read about your second trimester here.
Learn more
Bottle-feeding: choosing the right bottles and teats
Choosing the Right Bottle & Teat for Your Baby A Practical Guide to Finding the Right Bottle Feeding Setup We’ve been helping families for many years now, and a question we are always asked by new parents is “Which is the best baby bottle?” - and while we wish there was a one size fits all answer to this question, the reality is that there isn't one perfect bottle for every baby. The best baby bottle is the one that suits your bub's feeding style, comfort, and stage of development, while also fitting your family's routine and preferences. Finding the right bottles and teats can sometimes feel overwhelming. With so many options available, from anti colic bottles and wide neck designs to glass, silicone, and plastic bottles… it's natural to wonder which choice is best for your baby. In this guide, we'll help you understand the different bottle and teat options so you can find a feeding setup that feels right for your baby and your family. How to Choose the Best Baby Bottle When comparing baby bottles, start by thinking about your baby's feeding needs rather than focusing on brands or features. Newborn? Look for slow flow teats and easy to clean bottles – you’ll likely be using up to 12 bottles a day in those very early stages! Breastfed or mixed feeding? Wide neck bottles and breast shaped teats can help support a natural latch. Experiencing wind or reflux? Anti-colic bottles will help reduce swallowed air. Need something practical for everyday use? Lightweight plastic bottles are often a great choice. Looking for a long term option? Glass bottles are durable and long lasting. Choosing the Right Bottle MaterialDifferent bottle materials offer different benefits, but there isn't a single right choice. Bottle Type Best For Things to Know Plastic Everyday use Lightweight and practical Glass Durability Easy to clean but heavier Silicone Mixed feeding Soft and flexible 💛 Dimples Tip: Something we often tell parents is not to overthink the bottle material too much. Most babies will adapt well to different bottle types, so it's often more about what works best for your family and feeding routine. Bottle Shapes at a Glance Standard Bottles - A simple, reliable option that works well for most babies. Wide-Neck Bottles - Easier to fill and clean, and often preferred by families combining breast and bottle feeding. Anti-Colic Bottles - Designed to reduce the amount of air swallowed during feeding. 💛 Something we get asked a lot at Dimples: "Are anti colic bottles really worth it?" For babies who experience wind, gas, or reflux, or even for as a preventative method – yes! We know many parents who have found they make feeding more comfortable and reduce post feed fussiness. Explore our bottle range here Explore our Infant and Toddler Formula range here Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies & Mixed Feeding Another common question we hear at Dimples is: "What's the best bottle for a breastfed baby?" While every baby is different, wide-neck bottles with soft silicone teats are often a great place to start. When introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby, look for: Wide teats that encourage a natural latch Slow flow teats that mimic breastfeeding Soft silicone teats with a familiar feel Bottles designed to support mixed feeding Many parents also find paced bottle feeding helpful, as it encourages babies to feed at a rhythm that's closer to breastfeeding. You can learn more about paced bottle feeding here. Shop bottles suitable for mixed feeding Choosing the right teat flow can make feeding feel calmer and more comfortable for your baby. For newborns and younger babies, a slow flow teat is usually the best place to start. This helps milk flow gently and steadily, giving your baby time to feed at their own pace. As your baby grows and becomes more confident with bottle feeding, they may be ready for a medium or faster flow teat. Age guides can be helpful, but your baby's feeding cues are often the best sign. The flow may be too fast if your baby is coughing, spluttering, gulping milk, leaking milk from their mouth, or becoming unsettled during feeds. The flow may be too slow if your baby seems frustrated, takes a very long time to finish a bottle, or often falls asleep before finishing their feed. 💛 Another common questions we are asked: "When should I move up a teat size?" The answer is usually based on your baby's feeding cues rather than just their age alone. Shop our teat range here Cleaning, Sterilising & Bottle Care Keeping bottles and teats clean is a very important part of bottle feeding. Wash bottles and teats thoroughly, replace worn teats when needed, and sterilise bottles up until your baby is approximately 12 months old. A few simple essentials can make life easier: Bottle sterilisers Bottle warmers Bottle brushes Drying racks Feeding bibs Shop bottle cleaning and sterilising essentials here Frequently Asked Questions about Bottle Feeding What bottles are best for newborns? Most newborns do well with bottles fitted with slow flow teats. Anti-colic designs can also be helpful for babies prone to wind or reflux. What bottle is best for a breastfed baby? Wide-neck bottles with soft silicone teats are often a great option for supporting mixed feeding and encouraging a natural latch. Are anti-colic bottles worth it? For babies who swallow excess air while feeding, anti-colic bottles may help reduce wind, gas, and feeding discomfort. How do I know if teat flow is too fast? Look for coughing, spluttering, milk leaking from the mouth, or your baby struggling to keep up with the flow. Glass vs plastic baby bottles: which is better? Both are excellent options. Plastic bottles are lightweight and practical, while glass bottles are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to staining. Finding the Right Feeding Fit for Your Family Every baby is different, and finding the best baby bottle often involves a little trial and error. Trust your baby's cues, be kind to yourself, and remember that there's no single "right" choice. What matters most is finding a feeding setup that feels comfortable for both you and your baby. 💛 A final note from our team: We've helped hundreds of New Zealand families navigate bottle feeding over the years, and if there's one thing we've learned, it's that every feeding journey looks a little different. You're doing a great job. Shop our full range of baby bottles, teats and feeding essentials
Learn more
