Of course, clothing makes a very popular (and highly appropriate) choice of baby gift. No matter whether you are looking for a useful and attractive baby shower gift, present to welcome a new baby or christening gift, clothing is something that can always be used.

How do baby clothing sizes work?

When a child reaches their first birthday they will generally wear size 1 clothing. From birth until their first birthday, working out the clothing size that a baby will wear is not quite so simple.

Here is an approximate size guide for baby clothing:

Size 0000 is generally worn by newborns weighing less than four kilograms. For most babies, this corresponds with the time from birth to the age of three months. Of course, some full term and completely healthy newborns comfortably fit into size 00000, so although you may think that clothing in this size is unnecessary, be prepared that at least one 00000 piece may be needed.

Size 000 is most often worn by babies weighing less than six kilograms. Very often, size 000 will be worn by babies aged three months to six months.

Size 00 is generally worn when a baby is aged between six months and nine months; this relates to a weight range of six to eight kilograms.

Size 0 is usually worn by babies aged nine months to 12 months. Most often, these babies weigh more than eight kilograms but less than 10 kilograms.

As mentioned previously, size 1 is usually worn when a baby reaches the age of 12 months. In terms of weight, babies wearing size 1 clothing weigh in excess of 10 kilograms.

When the above size guide is considered, it is obvious that the reflections of the parents of many babies are quite accurate when they comment on how quickly their children ‘grow out of’ their clothes.

Differences between clothing manufacturers:

When buying or choosing baby clothes and trying to decide on the right size, keep in mind that considerable variation often exists between different brands and clothing manufacturers. Bonds is a very popular brand of baby clothes, but is often thought to be a smaller fit than others.

It is therefore worth comparing the sizes of different garments produced by different brands before deciding on the size that you will buy.

Tips for new parents — the best sizes to start with:

If your baby will be born in a hospital, it is quite likely that you will need to take several outfits with you. Some experienced mothers suggest having a mixture of both size 0000 and size 000 clothes with you (possibly even a piece of size 00000 clothing, particularly if your baby is expected to be small).

As with different milestones and developments, every baby is unique and the amount of time that any baby will spend in a particular clothing size will be determined by how fast they grow and put on weight.

Buying or choosing baby clothes can be a lovely and enjoyable task, but one that becomes confusing when it is time to select appropriate sizes. Having a range of clothing sizes on hand is always a good idea.

Here we take a look at some of the toys that are perennially popular with children.

Wooden toys:  Although the world of children and young people is now largely filled with video games and highly stimulating toys and gadgets, conventional toys — such as wooden toys — have never waned in popularity. Wooden toys carry the advantages of being solid, safe, simple and fun and have the very important quality of delighting children of all ages. Further to this, wooden toys can be used and enjoyed for many years as they are less flimsy and fragile than many of the plastic toys that are so popular today.

Some of the most popular wooden toys are trucks, wagons, train sets and anything that the child can push, pull, stack up and move around. Of course, wooden blocks are a favourite with many children. A lot of wooden toys have important educational benefits and most contemporary versions feature lead-free paint, making them safe for use with little ones.

Board games:  Even in a day and age where sophisticated video games and technology are easily accessible and available, numerous children still prefer the interaction and strategic experiences that come when playing board games. Some of these games have been around for years — Monopoly, Connect 4, Cluedo and Mastermind for example — and continue to have the power to entertain children for hours.

Playing many of these games, children also grow as communicators and gain worthwhile learning experiences.

Lego:  Lego remains popular with many children and is a wonderful way for them to exercise creativity and develop dexterity, mathematical and pattern skills. Problem solving skills are also developed as children experiment with interlocking blocks and make different colour choices.

Most importantly, boys and girls derive enjoyment through play with Lego. There is no end to the ways that it can be used and it can often be an enjoyable way for parents and children to play together.

Barbie dolls:  Apparently, Barbie is timeless. Little girls (and some little boys) today are just as fascinated by Barbie as children were decades ago and love to dress up and play with these dolls. While there is some conjecture about the messages that a doll such as Barbie conveys about women, her timeless popularity with children of all ages remains obvious.

Puzzles:  Jigsaws and other types of puzzles continue to amuse and fixate children. Varying in complexity, such puzzles have educational value and challenge children to problem solve and find solutions to problems. Because of this, puzzles make excellent presents that can be enjoyed for hours, days, months and years.

Slinky:  The Slinky was invented and developed in the US in the 1940s and has been popular ever since. Sometimes referred to as a ‘Lazy Spring’, the Slinky fascinates and entertains children with its ability to stretch and bounce up and down. Of course, a variety of tricks can be performed with this toy, including: the Slinky negotiating a set of stairs through gravity and its own momentum.

The universal popularity of the Slinky is evident in the fact that in its first 60 years, more than 300 million Slinkys were sold.

Play-Doh:  Play-Doh provides countless hours of creative fun. Children love hands-on play and Play-Doh enables them to create different shapes, combine colours, mould different things and, of course, squash them down in order to start again.

Children love Play-Doh and it is a great choice of gift that is relatively inexpensive but sure to be met with delight.

It is true that some toys never go out of fashion. While there will always be fads and toys that are popular at different times, some toys are classic and remain popular no matter what new gadget temporarily attracts a child’s attention.

Very often, choosing a name is a far more difficult task than preparing everything else that is needed for a baby’s arrival or choosing a baby gift for a child that already seems to ‘have it all’. Choosing an appropriate name for your baby is one of the most important decisions that you will make, and here we provide a range of tips for choosing a great name for your baby.

Remember that your personal taste may be common to others

Sometimes we feel as though we have come up with or decided on a baby name that is entirely our own. We love the name very much and look forward to announcing that this is the baby’s name. In this situation, it can be alarming to discover that someone else — regardless of whether or not you know each other — has ‘used’ your baby name.

More often than not, the tastes that we think are so personal are in fact shared by other people; consider the fact that we live in a shared culture in which common experiences and popular things (such as films, music, celebrities, artists and more) shape what we like and dislike. Ultimately, this leads to tastes overlapping.

It is perhaps heartening to know that others think your taste in names is good. Also, a shared perspective on a name can define a style and the connotations that are attached to it.

Not all last names work as first names

You may have noticed a trend in names that have traditionally been last names being used as first names (think: Smith, Kennedy and Hudson). While many names work brilliantly well in this way, some pairings do not go well together.

In order to avoid a situation of a clumsy pairing of names, think carefully about the length and rhythm of the words that comprise a name and be sure to avoid tongue twisting names.

Repeat the full name aloud many times over

Sometimes parents choose a first name which is perfectly lovely but when put with the child’s last name, disaster results. We have all heard jokes, stories and anecdotes of people with names such as: ‘Mary Christmas’, ‘Justin Case’ or ‘Dwayne Pipe’ and the unfortunate thing is that these names are sometimes the real names of real individuals.

When you have selected a name that you like, write it down and say it out loud over and over again to look and listen for problems. Include nicknames and shortened names to (e.g., Benjamin to Ben) in this testing process to prevent ridiculous sounding names and the person becoming the brunt of jokes.

Endings and beginnings

It is also important to think about and listen to how one name ends and the next begins. For example, Jonas Smith may well be heard as Jonah Smith, and names with too much alliteration — Jackie Jameson, for example — can sound like a stutter and be difficult to pronounce.

The opinions of others

Of course, the decision that you make about your baby’s name is up to you. Having said this, it is important that you choose a name that will not make life difficult for your child. Sometimes, names that are too unusual or names that have are spelled in highly inventive ways mean that a person has to constantly explain and spell their name — this can get frustrating and annoying.

Some people think that it is useful to mention the names that they like by trusted individuals to gauge their reaction before naming their baby. This isn’t for everyone and many people like to keep their baby’s name a secret, but if you are interested to know how people are likely to respond, run the proposed name for your baby past one or two people you trust (who you are confident will not tell anyone!).

Naming a baby is a special task and it is important to choose an appropriate name. After all, it is the name he or she will carry throughout life and the name that will be emblazoned on so many things, from christening gifts and babyware to graduation certificates, driver’s licences and professional resumes.

Here we take a look at some of the most popular and questionably accurate old wives’ tales for determining whether a baby boy or girl is on its way.

How the mother is carrying:

Some people argue that the sex of the baby is apparent in the way that the mother is carrying. The old wives’ tale is that if the pregnant women is carrying low, the baby is a boy but if they are carrying high, the baby is a girl.

Skin:

Soft skin is thought to be an indicator of a female baby whereas dry skin apparently reveals a boy.

Baby’s heartrate:

Here the old wives’ tale goes that a baby’s heartrate faster than 140 beats per minute is indicative of a girl. In contrast, a heartrate slower than 140 beats per minute is, for some people, a sure sign of a boy.

Cravings:

A lot of attention is given to the cravings of a pregnant woman when she is expecting a baby and some people believe that the baby’s sex is revealed through the types of foods the mother favours. If a pregnant woman has a real hankering for sweet foods, such as: fruits, chocolate and juice, she is thought to be carrying a girl. Mothers carrying boys are often thought to crave foods that are more salty and sour, along with protein-rich foods such as meat and dairy.

The wedding ring suspended over the belly:

This method of determining a baby’s gender is perhaps the best known old wives’ tale. To complete this procedure, the wedding (or other ring) of the mother needs to be held by a strand of the pregnant woman’s hair and the woman needs to lie down. The ring is then dangled above the expectant mother’s belly. A ring that starts to move in circles suggests a boy whereas a girl is indicated by the ring swinging from side to side, like the pendulum of a clock.

Mother’s appearance:

Another old wives’ tale suggests that the way a woman looks during her pregnancy reveals whether she is having a boy or girl. If a woman’s face becomes more round, she is increasingly prone to breakouts of pimples and acne, her bust grows markedly and she unfortunately looks worse than she did before she was pregnant, it is believed that she is expecting a girl.

If the expectant mother finds that the hair on her legs grows faster than it did prior to her pregnancy, her nose becomes wider, her feet are colder than usual and there has been no significant increase in the size of her chest, the theory goes that she is expecting a boy.

Extra weight:

Some ‘experts’ believe that the extra weight that a woman carries while pregnant and how it is distributed on her body indicates whether she is carrying a girl or boy. If extra weight is carried in front of the woman, this is supposed to suggest a boy, whereas weight more obviously located around a woman’s hips and bottom is thought to be indicative of a baby girl.

A mathematical equation:

According to this old wives’ tale, a woman should add her age at the time she conceived to the number of the month in which she conceived. If the resulting number is odd, then a girl is supposed to be arriving in a matter of months, but if this number is even, then a boy is supposed to be on the way.

Using old wives’ tales to try to discover a baby’s sex can be a lot of fun though not always very accurate. Certainly, applying some of these theories and beliefs can provide hours of entertainment for expectant parents who are eager to know the sex of their baby.

Books make a perfect baby shower gift and as you peruse titles and beautifully created images contained within the pages, you will quickly realise that the books that many of us loved as children remain popular. Here we take a look at some of the classic books that are great to share with a baby.

Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and Anita Jaram is a British children’s book that has enjoyed incredible international success. In this story, Little Nutbrown Hare asks Big Nutbrown Hare the question that underpins the plot of the book: ‘Guess How Much I Love You?’ The story develops in such a way that the two hares explain and describe how much they love each other by referring to ever increasing quantities.

Essentially, this is a simple but delightful story in which the key themes of love and affection are obviously presented to even very young audiences.

The popularity of this beautiful book and story is evident in the fact that it has been published in 37 languages and sold in excess of 20 million copies throughout the world.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a much loved and well known children’s picture book created by Eric Carle. First published in 1969, this book tells and shows the experience of a caterpillar that eats its way through many different types of food before retreating into its cocoon and hatching as a beautiful butterfly.

The unique illustrations are captivating and children love the concept of holes being eaten through the pages, combined with text that is straightforward and themes that are educational. Together, babies and parents love to count, go through the days of the week, the foods that the caterpillar eats and the life stages of the butterfly.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, described as “one of the greatest childhood classics of all time”, is a perfect baby gift idea and one that is markedly different from the baby clothes, baby toys and baby presents that parents so often receive in plentiful quantities.

Mem Fox and Judy Horacek are the writer and illustrator of the enchanting book Where is the Green Sheep? This text has become a firm favourite with parents and children and is dearly loved for its simplicity and playfulness.

Where is the Green Sheep? is effective in presenting a range of opposites as a search unfolds for a missing green sheep. The witty text that accompanies the illustrations holds great appeal for adults and children and is certainly memorable.

Pamela Allen is a well-known children’s author who has published a number of much-loved children’s books. Fancy That! is just one of these. In this story, a little red hen sits on her six brown eggs in a box inside a shed. The beauty of this story is that words and noises combine so that the sounds of the fowl yard are heard and understood by readers. Eventually, the little red hen reveals her secret – her fluffy, gorgeous chicks – and becomes the unexpected star of the barnyard.

Pamela Allen’s rhymes and illustrations remain popular with children and are such that parents and babies will want to read them again and again.

There is no shortage of classic books to read to a baby. By choosing timeless and dearly loved titles, you can feel confident that your child, or a child for whom you are buying a gift, will enjoy the book for weeks, months and years to come.

Because babies need so many different articles of clothing and need baby clothes that are suitable for all sorts of weather conditions, new parents really appreciate receiving clothing as a gift when their baby is born. The good news is that, as a baby gift, all sorts of adorable and practical pieces of baby clothing are available and can easily be purchased from online baby stores.

So what are five of the most gorgeous baby clothes?

1;  Bodysuits

Bodysuits are synonymous with ‘babyhood’ and can serve as the foundation of many outfits. On colder days, bodysuits provide an extra layer of warmth for the baby and because they feature buttons that snap together between the legs, bodysuits effectively stay in place and prevent other items from rubbing against or irritating a baby’s perfect skin.

Bodysuits can be purchased in a range of gorgeous colours, styles and designs and are often appreciated by new Mums because they are comfortable for the baby and make for easy dressing.

2:  Sleepwear

When it comes to baby sleepwear, it is lovely to dress the baby in something that is cosy, comfortable and warm – particularly in the cooler months. Different styles of sleepwear are available and include one piece sleepwear that buttons or zips from the leg to the chin, two piece sleepwear that includes pants and a top and the increasingly popular gowns and ‘sleeping bags’ to which many babies respond well.

3:  Rompers

Frequently known as ‘rompers’, one piece outfits can really make it easier to dress your newborn baby. Rather than having to coordinate pants and a matching top, the one outfit can be worn and look absolutely gorgeous!

In contrast to bodysuits and sleepwear, rompers come in all sorts of cute and interesting designs and patterns and are often a slightly more ‘dressed up’ alternative.

4:  Jumpers and jackets

Even if a baby is born in the summer months, there will probably be a need for clothes that are suitable for cooler weather. Cute jumpers and jackets fit the bill perfectly here because they can be easily slipped over whatever else the baby is wearing to add an extra layer of warmth.

There seems to be no end to the range of adorable and appealing varieties of jumpers and jackets available and these garments certainly make a wonderful present.

5:  Footwear

While shoes may not be absolutely essential for a newborn baby, many parents love to put something on their child’s feet that helps to keep their feet warm and complete the outfit. There are many different and very cute types of footwear that a baby can wear, including: soft soled shoes that are specifically designed for a baby’s tiny foot.

There is no shortage of gorgeous pieces of baby clothing available. All sorts of colours and designs are available and many of the most beautiful pieces are made from high quality, soft and very appealing fabrics.

So, what are some of the best baby gifts for a special little someone who is one year old?

1:  Baby clothes

The birth of the baby is likely to have resulted in the family receiving plenty of wonderful, gorgeous and much needed baby clothes. For some months, the family is likely to have been spoilt for choice as many people give newborn baby clothes and items of clothing in very small sizes.

Before long, the baby grows out of these sizes! By the time of the child’s first birthday it is almost certain that some new clothes in larger sizes are needed.

For this reason, the gift of clothing in size one and larger is much appreciated as a present for a child’s first birthday.

2:  Baby toys

Like clothes, babies tend to outgrow the toys that they have reasonably quickly and are eager to explore and use toys that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. One year olds are tactile and love toys that can be used for building, moving and smashing down! Here are some perennial favourites:

• Building blocks:  Available in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes, building blocks nurture a child’s creativity and develop their fine and gross motor skills. Children love to build and knock down the blocks they have stacked and frequently sort the blocks as well as bang them together and on other objects to make a lot of noise!
• Walkers:  Because many one year olds are walking or are very near to it, toys that allow them to refine their walking skills are most often a hit. Everything from shopping trolleys to push along activity centres are popular.
• Telephones: Children are very familiar with the telephone and so many one year olds enjoy having their own toy telephone. When a child is ‘using’ their telephone, pull your own phone out and pretend to have a conversation with them…they will love it even if they do not yet have words!
• Stacking containers:  Children commonly love to play with empty containers and stack and arrange them in different ways. Play of this nature helps a child to understand how things fit together and very often, children will be fascinated by the different colours, patterns and features of different containers.

3:  Personalised baby gifts

The significance of a child’s first birthday means that personalised baby gifts make a wonderful present. There are so many fabulous gifts that can be personalised, ranging from jewellery and money boxes to photo frames and boxes for things such as a first curl. Essentially, personalised baby gifts make a perfect keepsake and are an appropriate way of acknowledging a baby’s first birthday celebrations.

A first birthday is a very important event in a child’s life and there are many wonderful gifts to recognise and celebrate this important event.

Here we take a look at some of the very best reasons to shop online when you want or need to give a baby gift:

1:  Variety

By taking even a quick look at the net and the different baby stores that are featured online, you will immediately notice that there is an extensive range of baby products available. In fact, the range is so vast and impressive that you will see many items of baby clothes, baby toys and other items that are rarely, if ever, seen in regular stores.

A variety of sizes, styles, colour combinations and themes are available and, when you shop online, you have the freedom to select the products that most appeal to you or will suit the baby and family that will receive the gift.

2:  Quality

It is reassuring to know that many online baby stores keep and sell items that are of outstanding quality. It can be so disappointing to order and receive an item of inferior quality, but by doing a little research and evaluating and comparing your options, you can confidently purchase baby clothing and other items that are of the very best quality.

3:  Price

When buying baby gifts online, you will almost certainly realise that some very good prices are offered and that there is often competition between different online baby stores – resulting in excellent prices for the consumer.

As well as good prices being offered, you can expect to receive impressive and good quality items for the amount that you pay.

4:  Ease of process

One of the greatest benefits of online shopping is that it can be done so comfortably and easily from the comfort of your own home. No longer is it necessary to journey into crowded shopping precincts and, particularly at Christmas, engage in competition with other customers for limited stock and then wait in long queues to finalise transactions.

Online shopping is so much easier and far less stressful. When you shop online, you can take all the time that you need to consider your options and you can often access considerably more information about a product than you are able to in-store.

You do not have to wait in a queue or suffer the stress and frustration of crowds and a hectic atmosphere.

5:  Service

Let’s be honest, it is now quite rare to receive excellent and infinitely helpful service when you shop in stores of varying types. Of course, it is not fair to claim that no service is provided these days (as some stores continue to provide exceptional service and attention to their customers’ needs), but we do often hear stories of people who are underwhelmed by the response that they have received.

When shopping with many online stores, your purchase carries a low risk. This means that if the item is not suitable or needs to be returned, this can often be easily and quickly accommodated. Also, the terms and conditions of most online stores are stated upfront which means that you are able to understand your rights and the possible courses of action should your purchase not be appropriate or suitable.

Shopping online for baby gifts carries many significant benefits. Not only is it easier and more comfortable, shoppers are frequently impressed by the range available online and the quality of the items that can be purchased for babies.

Regardless of whether you are giving a gift or making a purchase to prepare for your own baby’s arrival, what are some of the essential items for a newborn baby?

1:  Baby clothes

It may sound achingly obvious, but every baby needs an assortment of baby clothes. It is important to remember that babies can go through multiple outfits in any one day and need all sorts of pieces to reflect weather conditions and the need for comfort.

Online baby stores stock some of the most gorgeous and practical baby clothes that you can expect to find and keep these in a range of sizes – you can expect to find newborn baby clothes as well as garments for older babies and children.

It really does not matter if you do not know the gender of the unborn baby as there are so many great gender neutral garments available and pieces to suit baby boys and girls. Remember too, that as well as pieces of clothing, babies also need items such as hats, socks, singlets and booties.

2:  Baby toys

It is very important to have a range of great baby toys on hand as they serve important educational, developmental and entertainment functions. Babies of all ages love toys that are appropriate to their age and the milestones that they have met and can learn so much by experimenting with different types of toys.

As well as cute and cuddly toys there are toys that are visually stimulating and engaging for little people. Activity toys, rockers, puzzles and bath toys are just some of the most popular and frequently selected toys that delight and stimulate babies.

3:  Baby blankets

A number of baby blankets are needed for a newborn baby. Not only do baby blankets make a lovely gift, they come in a number of forms that are not only beautiful in appearance but made from some of the finest quality fabrics.

As well as keeping a baby warm, great quality baby blankets can also become an item that is treasured. Many babies and children form quite an attachment to their baby blankets and some parents choose to keep blankets given as a special gift as a keepsake and important memento of their son or daughter’s childhood.

4:  Practical items

Of course, every newborn baby will need nappies, lotions, wipes and other essential, day to day baby products. To help a new Mum out, the gift of a baby hamper comprised of some of these products can be a great gift and one that you can feel sure will be used.

While there are many different things that are needed for a newborn baby, clothes, toys, blankets and practical items are certainly among the most important.

Together with baby clothes and the practical items that are needed when a baby arrives (nappies, lotions, towels and feeding utensils), baby toys make an excellent baby shower gift. Here we list six of the best baby toys that will be appreciated by new mothers and loved by babies.

1:  Activity toys

Activity toys are intended to stimulate and amuse babies. Of course, it is important to select toys that are age appropriate for the baby, but you will find that there is a huge range of great toys from which to choose.

For very young babies, musical, flexible and gorgeous cuddly toys are always popular. Young babies also love (and get therapeutic benefit from) teething toys and are often interested in cloth books that can be played with separately or attached to the child’s pram. Mums also love these toys that can be readily accessed to entertain the baby when they are out and about.

2:  Rattles, dolls and bears

Classic toys, such as dolls, teddy bears and rattles remain popular with babies and their parents. Online baby stores provide toys that are amazingly cute and bring hours of playing pleasure as well as toys that make a wonderful keepsake.

Toys of this nature are able to be enjoyed by babies and are perfect to give as an expression of love and care.

3:  Rockers and puzzles

A baby rocker is a fabulous item to have in order to entertain, stimulate or even entertain a baby. Many parents like to use baby rockers to soothe and relax their child and find that their baby responds wonderfully well to the rhythmic motion of the rocking.

Before too long, babies become interested in puzzles of different types. Puzzles have vast educational benefit and can effectively introduce children to words, numbers and concepts.

4:  Bath toys

Bath time is a special time of day and a time that almost all babies love! As well as splashing around in the water, babies of all ages love to play with toys in the bath. There are toys that squirt and make noise and those that move through the water. Other toys help to develop children’s conceptual abilities and stimulate their senses.

5:  Christmas toys

With Christmas just around the corner, there is no better time or reason to buy toys for children. Older babies and children love everything about Christmas and choosing toys that are specifically themed around Christmas cannot help but bring joy and plenty of festive cheer!

6:  Wooden toys

Many people really appreciate toys of great quality, that are well made, classic and made to stand the test of time. Wooden toys have certainly made a come back in this regard and make an excellent gift.

Wooden toys of many different descriptions are available and are suitable for both boys and girls.

It can be a real pleasure to buy baby toys and so much fun to choose toys for the babies and children that you know. While there is a huge range of baby toys available, the categories of toys that have been listed are popular for good reason – they are loved and appreciated by children and their parents.