Bathing and Cleaning Tips

The Gentle Art of Bathing Babies

Our top tips for bathing your bub

Tiny little bodies require the gentlest of baths. Most babies love to have a bath and it can be a special bonding time for you and your little one. Having just come from a marine environment, being in the water can be a soothing feeling for bubs.

Bathing baby at a similar time each day can also help to establish those all-important routines everyone keeps going on about. In addition, a nice bath can be a wonderful settling tool for when baby is upset.

We've put together a few handy hints to help make bath time a breeze.

Bath Temperature

Bathing babies is recommended at between 37-38 degrees Celsius. Get yourself a bath thermometer to take the guess work out of getting the temperature right and to put your mind at ease.

Bath Support

A bath support is a fantastic tool to have for at least the first 6 months. Having to support your little one's head and neck means you only have one hand left to do everything else so a bath support will make for a much more relaxed wash.

Hooded Towels

Hooded towels are perfect for drying bub from head to toe and keeping their little body warm from bath to change table. Ensure you dry your bub thoroughly making sure to get into all the skin folds to prevent trapped water or irritation.

Face Washers

Face washers are an ideal way to wash baby, especially in the early days. They allow controlled, small amounts of water to trickle over baby as needed and can gently wipe in all the little hard-to-reach areas.

Baby Wash

Your baby won't need anything particularly fancy in the soap department, but using a gentle baby body-wash is great for a freshen up after a long day of milk spills, sick and dirty nappies! Choose a wash specifically designed with babies in mind, it's important they are gentle as a regular wash or soap may be too strong for your little one's delicate skin.

You can also choose a softly scented wash with calming oils such as lavender and chamomile to encourage relaxation.

Moisturisers

Having a gentle moisturiser on hand at your baby-change is a great idea to soothe any skin irritations or redness after bath and to avoid dry skin.

Kneeling pads

Something for you! Getting yourself right down into a bath night-after-night can take a toll on your knees! Get yourself a kneeling pad to protect your knees when reaching down to wash your little one.

TIP: Get everything ready to go before you put baby in the bath. Get a face washer to hand, your chosen baby wash and perhaps a little plastic cup to help you rinse the suds. It's a great idea to make sure a towel is in reach and you have prepared a fresh nappy and change of clothes to for afterwards.

Buying a Car Seat

Buying a Car Seat Online

You've decided on the cot. You're rolling with a pram or stroller. All that remains between you and baby shopping glory is the baby car seat. When you stare out at the shop floor you are confronted with a sea of baby seats (that look pretty similar) and maybe you're starting to falter. Forward-facing, rearward facing, convertible! We know what you're thinking: "Just tell me which one to buy!" Sit back, relax and scroll ahead in the comfort of your home. We have compiled an easy reference guide of everything you need to know to help you buy the right car seat online.

All car seats and baby seats available on our website are approved restraints and meet strict Australian safety standards in accordance with the ages specified for each product.

Types of Car Seat

The Baby Capsule

If your child is 0-6 months: they must be in an approved rearward facing restraint

• Sometimes referred to as a baby capsule, these types of seats are the safest way for baby to travel
• They are heavily padded to support baby's developing body and cushion baby from vehicle movement
• They have a carry handle to help transport sleeping baby protectively

TIP: some baby capsules can be mounted onto your chosen pram frame meaning baby can be transferred from car to pram without removing them from capsule.

The Convertibles

If your child is 6 months – 4 years: they must be in an approved rearward or forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness

Capsule>Baby Seat Newborn - 4years

• Seats that convert from capsule to upright seat are ideal because they cover your child restraint requirements across two categories from newborn to 4 years
• Washable covers to help clean up inevitable spills
• Reclining function available for maximum comfort

OR

Baby Seat>Booster Seat – 6 months – 4 years

• These seats conveniently transition to booster seats when your child reaches the correct age
• This seat is a suitable after 6 months of age, as your baby reaches the correct height and weight requirements
• Removable, washable covers
• Heavily cushioned for maximum support and protection
• Easy to install

The Booster Seat

If your child is around 4 years of age and meets height and weight requirements, your child may be ready to transition to a booster seat.

• Tend to take up less room in the vehicle
• Easy to install
• Easily adjustable
• Available with tech features such as speakers

Buying a Push Chair

Buying a Pram or Pushchair

The easy path to navigating the world of baby transport.

You're about to become a parent. You've often seen the Mums, Dads and grandparents of the world pounding the pavement with their pushchairs (and perhaps a coffee). With all the different brands, sizes, models, accessories and travel systems available, you may be wondering how anyone could ever arrive at a decision on which pram or pushchair to buy. After all, a pushchair is an investment and probably one of the most frequently used items in a child's early years. A well-chosen pushchair or pram can see your baby right through from newborn to their toddler years.

With that in mind, we've created an easy reference guide to cut through the confusion and offer you a simplified, easy-to-understand view of the large array of pushchairs and prams on offer. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions to narrow down your search and help you hone in on the type of pushchair that's right for you, your lifestyle and your budget.

Thanks to stringent safety standards in Australia, you can rest assured that any pushchair you decide to purchase from us will comply with all safety guidelines and will be sturdy enough to protect your little one's physical requirements in-line with the age specifications for each model. Most prams and pushchairs also come with a generous warranty period to give you added peace of mind.

Here's how to easily compare and select the perfect pushchair or pram for you:

Travel Systems:

• Do you want to be able to cover all your baby transport needs from 0-toddler in one purchase?
• Do you want a carry cot option for infant stage?
• Do you want to have compatibility with a wide range of accessories such as cup holders and rain covers?
• Do you need compatibility with your car capsule?

If you answered yes to the above questions, consider a complete travel system. They are a clever way of ensuring you have everything you need to transport your baby from newborn well into their toddler years.

Prams:

• Do you want to be able to fully recline the seat for newborn stage?
• Do you want to have the ability to have your baby facing you so you can see them whilst walking?
• Would you like the ability to use a shopping basket feature underneath the pram for errands and carrying baby supplies?
• Do you have the space for a pram at your residence and in your vehicle?

If you answered yes to the above questions, consider our prams. They are traditional in style and are a versatile way to travel your baby. Often you can switch the parent-facing seat to forward-facing when you baby gets older so they can watch the world go by.

Pushchairs:

• Do you want something easy to fold?
• Will you be travelling a lot?
• Would you prefer something simple with less storage underneath?
• Do you want something suitable to use up to 2 years?

If you answered yes to the above questions, consider a pushchair. They are capable of traversing different types of terrain and are ideal if space is an issue for you. Pushchairs, whilst simple, often can still be fully reclined to suit your newborn and some also have parent facing and forward-facing capability. Pushchairs are ideal if you don't need to use them with a carry cot or car capsule.

Strollers:

• Is your child over 6 months?
• Do you want something compact and easy to store?
• Do you want something lightweight?
• Do you travel a lot?
• Do you need to navigate crowded spaces often?
• Do you have a small vehicle?

If you answered yes to the above questions then we suggest you consider a stroller. Strollers are a breeze to use, take up little space and can save your arm muscles if you're doing a lot of travelling around. If your child is over 6 months, strollers offer versatile functionality, with a minimum of fuss.

Twin or tandem prams:

• Are you expecting twins or will you have two children close in age?
• Will you be taking both children out at once?
• Do you need to cater for two different aged children in the one pram?

If you answered yes to the above questions then we suggest you consider our tandem range. Tandem prams are essential if you have two small children and you plan on taking them out together. Most tandem prams have individually functioning seats, meaning you can select the most appropriate setting for each child as you go.

Tandem prams are perfect for keeping toddlers safe whilst you're out and about with a smaller baby or newborn. As you can imagine, one person pushing two separate prams or pushchairs is near impossible so having the one pram unit for both children is a necessity for family travel.

Above all, make sure that the pram, pushchair or travel system you choose is functional for your lifestyle and will likely make your life easier.

Tip: To make it easy to purchase a pushchair online, check the bullet points next to each model. They will provide you with a summary of the features of each pushchair and may help you to quickly decide if that model is right for you without having to read through long descriptions.

Feeding and Weening Tips

Satisfying the big appetite of your littlest family member.

Feeding your baby. It's a relatively simple concept but for many, feeding and weaning can present unexpected challenges which can be both emotional (thanks hormones) and stressful! We've put together our top tips for all things baby feeding to help you digest this important task a little bit more easily.

Feeding

Breastfeeding

If you've decided to breastfeed, there is some good news. You already have some of the necessary equipment! However, you might find the following helpful on your feeding journey.

Breast Pads

Leaking! Yes, that's right many breastfeeding women will experience leaking during and between feeds. A good quality breast pad will discreetly slip inside your bra to soak up any potential spills.

Breast Pumps

Depending on when you're returning to work or if you need someone else to feed baby, expressing a bottle using a good quality breast pump is essential.

Milk Storage Bags

There is nothing express about expressing! Having the correct storage items will assist you to make use of every drop. Freezer bags for breastmilk are ideal, they take up less space than bottles and are easy to label and defrost when required.

Formula or Breast Feeding

Bottles

From newborn to approximately 4 months, babies can only swallow in limited quantities so look for teats with the smallest flow to begin with (usually 1). Whilst you and your baby establish your bottle feeding routine, it's a savvy move to get a couple of different brands of bottle in order to find which type your baby prefers.

Sterilizing equipment

For any type of bottle feeding it's recommended to sterilize baby's bottle before each use. This can easily be done in a microwave using a sterilizing bag. They are quick, convenient and easy to use.

Bottle warmer

Gently warm milk for baby at controlled temperatures. Bottle warmers heat the bottle slowly as not to overheat it.

TIP: Terry towelling nappies make for ideal burp/spill cloths. They are affordable, a great size, easy to wash and gentle on baby.

Weaning

Learning to Eat

Somewhere between 5-7 months, you may find your baby becomes interested in food. When your little one can comfortably sit with their neck upright and they demonstrate an interest in food, (such as grabbing at food from your hand or watching you closely as you eat) your baby may be ready for solids. This can be an exciting (and messy) time.

High Chair

These novice eaters tend to take their time, so get them comfortable and safely restrained in a feeding chair or high chair.

Bibs

Smock style bibs or over-the-head bibs are ideal for full coverage and will help prevent extra laundry.

Weaning Spoons

These spoons are helpful as they are ergonomically designed to help baby transition from drinking and swallowing, to chewing and swallowing

Baby Food Processer

Steam and puree at the same time with these ingenious appliances. Perfectly practical and time-saving for food preparation, ensuring maximum nutrition for your baby with a minimum of fuss for you.

Food Storage

Tiny containers will likely become a big part of your cupboards along with ice-cube style trays, perfect for storing and freezing pureed baby food, ready to eat at a moment's notice!

TIP: Putting a splatter mat under the high chair can save your carpets and cleaning time.

Hospital Bag Checklist

What to pack when you're expecting.

As you approach your due date, along with the usual "must be any day now" observations from strangers in the supermarket, another common question is: have you got your hospital bag ready?

Preparing a bag for your upcoming hospital stay sometime in the last trimester is a great idea. It doesn't necessarily need to be zipped up and ready to go from 28 weeks, but putting a bag together can help you to feel more prepared and settled when waiting for your little one to arrive. That way, if the cheeky little cherub does decide to put in an early appearance, it will save you having to describe your favourite dressing gown to your (somewhat flustered) partner.

The aim of the hospital bag is to make yourself and your partner as comfortable as possible for the labour and/or birthing process, as well as preparing a starter-kit of supplies for your new arrival.

Be it birthing suite, hospital or other arrangement, the unknown duration of the delivery process means you might need to make yourselves at home. Comfy clothing, calming smells, and soothing sounds can make the birthing space feel more personal and the whole experience more pleasant. Who knows, you may not feel like getting that scented candle out in the end, but you might be thankful for the snacks you packed when you're nearing the 36-hour mark and the hospital vending machine just isn't cutting it anymore.

We've put together a list of savvy supplies for your up-coming hospital stay:

Loose/Comfortable clothing including undies

By now you will surely be used to loose, comfortable clothing. Pack an oversized t-shirt or nightie to wear during labour and something you can move around in easily.

A robe

A parade of midwives and doctors will likely see you through the delivery process. You will get used to people poking and prodding you. Why not at least throw on your favourite robe? It will make you feel more comfortable and it's easy enough to slip on and off when you need to.

Slippers or slides

Make yourself at home! A pair of shoes that you can easily slide on and off is essential as you will more than likely want to get up and walk around during your stay at the hospital or birthing centre, and you will likely not want to be bending down to put them on.

Nursing bra

If you're planning to breastfeed your baby, nursing bra's make life a whole lot easier, especially in the first few days when feeding will be most frequent. Nursing bras are normally wire-free for comfort and latch open and shut, to assist when having to support bub with one of your hands.

Nappies

Amazingly many people forget the nappies! Don't worry the hospital will have a couple on-hand to get you started but pack a few days' worth, just in case. About 12-15 is probably plenty.

Muslin Wraps

Muslin wraps will be your new best friend. Pack a few for the early days, those swaddling classes are about to pay off! Muslin wraps help baby to feel secure and adjust to their new surroundings. Wraps are also ideal to cover yourself for discreet breastfeeding.

Snacks

No need to pack the entire cupboard contents here, most hospitals will have some sort of café facilities, but it's a smart move to bring snacks for after-hours such as nuts, dried fruit, your favourite chocolate bar or even a box of muesli in case you get hungry during labour or throughout your hospital stay.

Music

The chorus of nurse attendance buzzers and beeping monitors might not be the most relaxing vibe for your labour. Putting together a playlist of your favourite music can help you to dull those sounds and make you feel more relaxed.

Essential Oil Diffuser

Diffusers are perfect for hospitals, where naked flames are not usually allowed. Diffusing a relaxing blend of essential oils is something many people find soothing and helps make the process homelier.

Blanket

If you have a favourite blanket or throw, take it with you. It's amazing what a big difference having a touch of home in your hospital room can make to your level of comfort.

Phone (devices) and Chargers

Remember the charger! No doubt you will be wanting to take approximately 1,374,476 photos of your new bub within the first 24 hours. So, you will need your phone fully charged. Pack your charger as well as of course your phone and any other devices you may need for watching movies and passing time.

Toiletries plus Mask

Toothbrush, toothpaste, body-wash, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, face wash and all the usual suspects, plus a towel for a touch of at-home luxury. Add a mask for COVID times as you will likely need this to wander around the hospital with.

Baby Stuff

A baby starter-kit should see you through the first few days. Along with the nappies, pack a handful of sleepsuits (or bodysuits depending on the weather) as well as some socks, scratch mittens, a bonnet or two and a baby blanket.

Car Seat

The all-important car seat, should be installed and at-the-ready. Technically not something that goes in your hospital bag but definitely worth a mention. For tips on how to buy a car seat, read our "Buying a carseat" article.

Nursery Styling Tips

Nursery Styling Tips

Creating the perfect space for your precious new arrival.

Whether you choose stars, clouds, giraffes or dinosaurs, or maybe you're going for monochrome, decorating your baby's nursery can be a lot of fun. As a new parent, it's almost a right-of-passage. We have a few simple tips to get you started and help make your baby's nursery feel warm, welcoming and picture-perfect for their upcoming arrival.

Choosing a theme or colour palette tends to work well for styling a nursery. Creating a colour theme or a story around your favourite motif will help you narrow down the field when shopping for your nursery. This will assist you to make things simple, easy on the eye and clutter-free.

We've put together a list of nursery essentials to help you on your way to creating a sanctuary for your newest family member and the perfect nursery space.

Cot or Cot bed

For the first few years of life it's recommended that your baby sleep in a cot or cot bed with a will fitting mattress and a fitted sheet. Bedding can be kept to a minimum for new arrivals with perhaps the addition of a cellular blanket for cooler weather.

Feeding Chair

Something for you! It's a savvy move to put a comfortable arm chair, feeding chair or rocking chair in your baby's nursery. You may spend long periods of time in the nursery, feeding or settling. Making sure you will be sitting comfortably with your back supported in a comfy chair is essential.

Change table

Excellent for storing all manner of things, namely nappies, wipes, nappy bags, spare bodysuits and linens, a good change table can make your life a whole lot easier! Changing baby at the right height can also alleviate stress on your back and shoulders and saves your sofas from getting wet or dirty.

TIP: You can often buy a matching cot and change table if you want to keep the space looking uniform.

Nappy Bin

If you don't fancy running to the outside bin every time you need to dispose of a soiled nappy, a nappy bin is a must. Designed to lock odours in, these neat contraptions help keep the room pleasant.

Baby Gym

If you have the space, make some room on the floor for a playmat or a baby gym. There are some beautiful playmats and play gyms available so choose one that best fits your chosen nursery look. Baby gyms with mobile toys help keep your baby entertained during awake time. Your baby will likely use this space frequently.

Baby Monitor

You probably won't want to be in your baby's nursery around the clock to monitor their every move, so a good quality baby monitor will allow you peace of mind when at the other end of the house or if you have guests over. Choose a monitor that displays the room temperate as a clever 2 in 1 purchase.

Night Light

A soft, ambient light will help keep a state of calm in your baby's nursery. Bright lighting can be over-stimulating, so night lights are a pleasant alternative to turning on an overhead light.

Storage Baskets

Make friends with storage! You may be amazed how quickly you accumulate baby stuff. A few stylish storage baskets can help keep the room tidy and clutter-free when playtime is over.

Playtime and Development

Big learning for little people

Learning starts early for our newest arrivals. The rate at which a baby develops on a daily basis can be truly mind-boggling. Whilst there is a vast range of averages, in the first 6 months of life babies learn (amongst other things) to focus with their eyes, grasp objects, lift their head, sit up and even crawl.

After the initial newborn stage, where baby tends to just eat and sleep, playtime and development will form an important part of your baby's day. Setting up a dedicated play area and space at home is a wonderful idea. As well as offering a safe space for baby to learn in and explore, it will also provide you with some valuable hands-free time.

We've put together a few ideas to get you thinking about how you can help stimulate your little one's senses and offer them optimum conditions for early learning.

Playmats and Baby Gyms

There are some outstanding playmats and baby gyms available. Inspired designs, offering everything from just the mat itself, to a wonderland of mobile toys that display lights, sound and all-important, colour.

Toys that have an array of colour, textures, movement and sound are a great starting point to help entertain bub.

Sounds

As any baby advice will tell you, learning and understanding speech starts even before your baby's grand entrance. You may have already played music or read to your baby in-utero. Talking to baby, (even if it's describing how you are unpacking the dishwasher) is a crucial development tool. Babies will be listening and soaking up every pitch-change, word formation and intonation of your voice.

Playing music, repeating sounds back to bub, reading and singing tunes or nursery rhymes are also important developmental sounds.

Tummy-time

Babies need to spend time on their tummy to encourage their head and neck strength as well as to help them begin to understand how to crawl. From just a few weeks after birth, babies may be ready to start spending time on their tummy. To begin with just a few minutes at a time and always supervised in a clear, safe space.

Once baby becomes used to being on their tummy, you can encourage play and build eye strength by offering toys, books or even showing them their reflection.

Playtime

Some of the cutest and most fun times with your little one can be watching even a tiny reaction to a new thing they've learned or seeing their response to new sound or toy. Putting time aside to play, interact, chat and make sounds together is such a valuable part of bonding and development.

Preparing for a Newborn

Our simple checklist to help you welcome your little one to the world with confidence.

It's easy to feel a little overwhelmed when preparing for your new arrival. You may begin to wonder whether perhaps a spreadsheet would be better than a shopping list! Blogs, Mum forums, the brands, the reviews, best friend's, best friend's sister's; they all have their lists of “must-haves”, but what do you really need? If you've found yourself standing in a baby store or scrolling endlessly online (somewhat bewildered) asking yourself, “what is a TOG anyway?” - we're here to help! We've put together an easy reference guide for all types of budgets and lifestyles to ensure you have an effortless and enjoyable shopping experience.

Sleeping

Bassinet

It is recommended that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for the first six months of life, in a bassinet or safe cot with a firm, well-fitting mattress. Bassinets are ideal, especially if you are conscious of space and they allow you to keep baby close for feeding or to check on them easily when unsettled.

TIP: If space is an issue, look for a bassinet with wheels to allow you to easily manoeuvre baby around your bedroom or between rooms.

Cot or Cot Bed

After about 6 months of age, it's recommended that your baby sleep in a safe cot or cot bed as they will have likely outgrown a bassinet. Cots are available in many shapes and sizes and here is where you may like to choose based on the shape, colour and design you prefer. Safety guidelines recommend the top of the lowest side when the drop side is closed should be at least 50cm from the mattress.

Cots that have the ability to convert to cot beds at the right time for your child's development are always a clever way to transition your little one into sleeping in a regular bed at the right age to help prevent falls.

TIP: Make sure the cot mattress fits snuggly on all sides and there is very little space or gaps between the mattress and the side of the cot.

Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags are a fantastic option to safely sleep your baby in as there is no chance your little one can kick it off during naps or sleep time.

Sleeping bags are available in different TOG's (thermal overall grade) which calculates the thermal insulation of the sleeping bag, allowing you to select the most appropriate weight for the season or time of day. In simple terms, the lower the TOG rating, the more lightweight the fabric.

Thermometer

Knowing the temperature of baby's room is important so you can dress them and swaddle them appropriately. Choose one with a night light setting, so you can use it to gently illuminate the nursery.

Fitted Cot Sheet

You will need likely need a few of these. Fitted sheets are safest for baby as they are not likely to move once in place and come in a variety of thicknesses and fun prints.

Mattress Protector

Spills are inevitable so protect your baby's mattress from damp patches by using a good quality mattress protector.

Baby Monitor

Incredible technology means you can put your feet up and rest easy when baby goes to sleep with a baby monitor that best suits your needs and the size of your home. Baby monitors can range from sound only, to high-definition video monitors that are compatible to with your smart phone. Some monitors also display the live room temperature.

Night light

Soft, ambient lighting is a great way to keep baby in a sleepy state whilst helping you move in and out of the room safely.

Feeding

Feeding Chair

It's a wise idea to make sure you have a supportive arm chair to ensure you are comfortable and in a protective position for your back whilst feeding baby. It's also an advantage to feed your little one in a similar spot as it helps with establishing routine.

Nursing Bras and Breast Pads

Who doesn't love things that make life easier? Nursing bra's do exactly that. Specially designed for easy access with handy clips, these bras are especially useful when out-and-about and can help you feed more discreetly.

If breastfeeding, breast pads help prevent breastmilk from leaking through to your clothing. A pack or two should be enough to get you started.

Bottles

To begin with baby's, need a slow flow for their milk intake and may not take to every bottle. It's wise to have a couple of different brands of bottles on hand, to find the one your baby most prefers.

The bottle teats themselves come in a variety of different flows. For newborn's look for a level 1 teat and then you can slowly increase the flow to 2 from there and so-on as your baby grows. Some brands have also developed teats to mimic the flow of breast milk and only allow the milk to flow as the baby creates suction.

Terry Towelling Nappies

Don't worry, we're not going back to the eighties! These little wonders are your go-to handy wipe towels, ideal for burping baby, mopping up any type of spills and cleaning the vomit off Aunt Mavis's new blouse. They are easy to wash and dry and are incredibly useful in the early days.

Bathing, Toiletries and First Aid

Nappies

Nappies-a-plenty! It's true your baby will go through many nappies. It's sensible to have at least a pack or two on hand for your newborn but remember babies grow quickly! Don't buy too many packs of the same size until you find out what size best suits your baby.

Wipes

Wipes are a big part of life from the moment your baby arrives, well into their toddler years. Feel free to stock up on these as they will be a go-to for every type of spill and you may even need a few yourself!

Nappy Barrier Cream

The answer to almost any nappy-rash complaint, keep a good nappy rash cream on hand to soothe red, irritated skin or skin complaints.

Baby Thermometer

A good quality baby thermometer will be an essential part of your kit from newborn right through to toddler. It's essential to have one on-hand to help alleviate worry when baby is unsettled and to help you easily identify if you need to be concerned.

Nail Clippers

Tiny nails need tiny nail clippers. Baby's nails tend to grow at quite a pace, so it's important to have some baby nail clippers on hand to help you with this delicate task. You will need to clip baby's nails regularly to ensure they don't scratch themselves by accident.

Bath Support or Baby Bath

If you already have a bath at home, a bath support is a very helpful aide. Whilst baby is supported in the bath, it allows you to wash your little one with both hands and helps baby have a relaxed and restful bath.

If you don't have an in-built bath or large sink at home, you will likely need a baby bath to bathe your little one safely.

Bath Thermometer

Bath thermometers are essential to ensure the temperate of the bath water is optimum for bathing your little one. Bathing babies is recommended at between 37-38 degrees Celsius. A good bath thermometer takes the worry out of guessing.

Baby Shampoo

A gentle baby shampoo is all you need in the early days to bath baby. You can wash their entire body with a good quality baby shampoo.

Face washers

A pack of fresh face washers are the perfect way to help gently wash baby's whole body and help to gently remove dirt from under arms, around the neck and wash the hair and head.

Hooded Towel

Keep a few hooded bath towels on hand as they keep baby warm from head to toe between bathing and dressing. (And they're pretty cute)

Travel and Transport

Pram or Pushchair

Investing in a good quality pram or travel system will enable you great flexibility when it comes to transporting your newest family member from A to B. If you plan on getting out and about, going for walks or running errands with your little one, a travel system can cover all bases. Most complete travel systems consist of a base, carry cot for newborn babies, an upright pram seat with various reclining positions, and a car seat.

If you already have a car seat and perhaps only need the pram, look for a pram that reclines fully and is suitable from newborn onwards. For further guidance on the different types of prams, strollers and push chairs available see our article on how to buy a push chair.

TIP: Some baby capsules can attach to your pram wheels with special adapters.

Baby Capsule or Car seat

From 0-6 months, when travelling in any vehicle, your baby must be restrained in an approved rear-facing car seat. When it comes to car seats there is a great deal of variety and degrees of functionality. You may either prefer to buy a stand-alone capsule that can be also be used with your pram base, or a convertible baby seat that will cover your car seat needs from 0-4years. For more information on buying the ideal car seat for your needs see our article on buying a car seat.

Quick Tips I Wish I'd Known!

Everyday Mum-hacks from everyday Mum's

You know about almost everything. You've read the books and done all the classes, but every so often a close friend or relative drops a pearl of wisdom that there doesn't seem to be a manual for. These Mary Poppins-esque tips and tricks seem like ancient wisdom, passed along the line by those that have gone before.

We've asked our team of specialists (Mum's) for their everyday mum-hacks they wish they had known before:

Barrier Cream

This wonder cream does far more than assist with nappy rash. Use it as a lip balm for yourself or to calm almost any skin redness or irritation.

Envelope Necklines

Envelope necklines on baby bodysuits and vests means if your baby covers themselves and/or their current outfit in poo, you can roll the bodysuit down over their legs instead of up over their head. Sage advice.

Big Undies

Take some underwear a couple of sizes bigger than your usual size to the hospital or birthing centre to wear after you've had your baby to help accommodate your recovery. You'll wonder why you've never worn oversized undies before.

Feeding in public

Though some women may appear like graceful swans feeding their infants in public – they likely did not start out this way. There's no need to put pressure on yourself to master the art of feeding in public straight away. Take your time.

Breast Management

It can be a bewildering moment when milk starts pouring from your breasts for the very first time. Whether you decide to breast feed or not, the body's natural response to birth is to produce milk. Have some breast pads handy to assist in making you as comfortable as possible while your body regulates your milk flow will save you from wet patches on your t-shirt.

TIP: Soak a breast pad with water and stick it in the freezer. It can then be easily slipped inside your bra during the early days to help soothe red or sore nipples.

Feeding apps

9 months without a drink, you've done your time. But you forgot about the feeding! The great news is there are apps to help you feed safely. Enter the time when you have your first drink and the app will tell you when your breastmilk will next be alcohol-free.