Guest post by Kizzy

Choosing a babies name is not as easy as you would think. I can remember when I was younger, dreaming of one day having children and names were so easy. Yet when I was expecting my first baby, we found it really difficult to find a name we both liked.

Bounty have some wonderful pages to help with ideas for boys names and girls names along with name meanings. So if you want to avoid a ‘Harper Seven’ (!) scenario then definitely have a look.

We only decided literally as my eldest son was born what we would call him. When we had our daughter, we new early on that we were having a girl and had kept the name my eldest would have been if he had been a girl and used that. Yet when I had my little man, he didn’t have a name for over 7 days!

Baby names are an important decision as they are the first thing most people will see or hear and if they are like me, they will associate it to anyone they know with that name and presume they have similar characteristics! (such as Horrid Henry!)

Another thing to consider is if you want a name that can be shortened.

So although you may think naming your baby is an easy decision, when it comes to it, it can be the hardest thing you will have to do for them!

What is it about parenting and public transport that doesn’t mix?

The day before yesterday, I took the bus down to the village, I’d like to say that this was in an effort to be more green, alas, it was more to do with hubby’s 4.45am start time (he needed the car), who just so happens to be a bus driver and was caught up in my frustrations.

Anyway, so I’m on the bus, after an hour or so of waiting. Don’t get me wrong the buses are frequent, every five minutes in fact, however, somebody thought it would be a good idea to only have ONE space for a pram or wheelchair and barely any room to fold your pram, so with a quota of one pram/wheelchair per bus it can take some time!

Anyway, so I’m on the bus (finally), which was really an achievement in itself as many of the buses drivers (who seem to be of the older generation) don’t like to find the button and press it, so that the bus lowers, and we parents with buggies can board.

Anyway, so I’m on the bus (just about), the bus driver pulls away before Erin is safely ‘stowed’ away with the pram brake on. Tut Tut. We were coming over the hill towards home when I pressed the blue buzzer (to let the driver know a pram or wheelchair would like to get off), I pressed the buzzer in plenty of time. The driver stopped to let other passengers off, and then begun to drive as I was still in the gangway. I held on for dear life, before the driver innocently asks “did you want THIS stop” to which I replied “Yes, please”, he asked the same question again, to which I gave the same reply. I have an underlying belief that (some) bus drivers want to make parents with buggies as uncomfortable as possible so we choose not to use the service and in turn make their job that little bit easier.

Now, I’m not one to complain without having a solution (!), The Buggy Bus. A bus with predominantly space for parents with buggies that would run perhaps once an hour, I think a lot of parents would just ditch the usual service and wait for this one. Oh, and there would be a super friendly driver that loves kids and has infinite patience (am I asking too much now?).

1. Accept Hand-Me-Downs

Don’t be too proud to accept second hand goods, the money you save can be used to buy other baby products. Alternatively put the savings into a trust fund, your baby will be pleased you did when they turn eighteen.

2. Don’t Go On A Spending Spree

As tempting as it may be, it’s not a good idea. You are likely to receive many gifts after your baby is born, wait, and then buy extras when you can see exactly what you need. There are only so many babygros and towels your baby needs.

3. Bargain Hunt

Search for bargains on Ebay, Freecycle and Babywear Exchange.

4. Baby Basics

Buy your baby basics (vests, babygros etc..) from supermarkets. If you’re in the UK, Tesco, Asda and Sainburys do a great job of these. Any suggestions for baby basics in the US?

5. One Pram Only

Buy one pram that adjusts for different ages.

6. Baby Food

Make your own. The cost of making your own is a fraction of what it costs to buy a jar.

7. Milk

If you’re bottle-feeding use powder milk rather than ready-made. If you can breastfeed, do so (but only if you want to!)

8. Cheap Days Out

Don’t waste money on lavish days out that your baby won’t remember. Instead utilise museums and galleries with free entrance, save the big trips until your baby is at least a toddler and can take it in.

9. Call To Arms For Knitters

Ask knitters to knit blankets and jumpers, you could offer to provide the wool.

10. Sterilizer

Buy a cheap microwave sterilizer rather than the fancy gadgets on the market, they do the same job and can’t break down.

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In a recent issue of Practical Parenting they had their awards for baby products, here are my favourites (in case you wanted to know?!)

Nappies

Pampers all the way. I have tried huggies and boots own brand but Pampers remain the favourite.

Nursery Item

The only one that springs to mind is Erin’s plug-in nightlight. It’s a Lindam one that was passed on to me but only costs £7.99. I like it because it’s not too bright and distracting from the activity in hand – Sleep!

Maternity Fashion

My favourite maternity item was a pair of dungarees that came from H&M.

Toys: Baby’s 1st Year

So many to choose from the christmas loot, but, at the moment Erin’s favourites are her Roll & Rhyme Melody Block which was highly commended in the practical parenting awards (watch this space for a toy review) and her baby doll ‘Thomas’.

Baby/toddler Fashion

In my opinion Next have it down. Affordable, fashionable good-wearing clothes. Tesco and sainsbury are also good for value basics.

Baby Food

Cow & Gate plum and apple fruit bars went down pretty well recently

Feeding Equipment

Ikea has great kiddy tupperware. We’ve had this set of bowls since the beginning of weaning. They were only 99p!!

Best Supermarket

Tesco shopping online and delivery service is a life (time?) saver.

Empty Cotton Reels

Small Plastic Bottles
Minus the lids!

A Small Tupperware Tub
We use one of Erin’s weaning tubs.

Scraps of Textured Fabric
Tin foil can be fun too, although beware of tin foil disappearing into the mouth, a tin foil ball is fun.

Spoons

Doll’s Cup and Saucer

Wooden Bricks

Egg Cartons

Ball

Photo by flickr user Potatojunkie

Dried Apricots

Erin loves these as they are sweet and chewy, I need to keep an eye on her though as she trys to stuff them right into her mouth.

Scotch Pancake

Again with a thin spread of butter this make a great mid morning snack.

Toast Fingers

We usually have granary bed and top with butter or jam.

Organix Crunchy Stix

These are great for on the move, and seem to be the favourable option of ‘crisp’ type snack.

Cucumber Sticks

I like these as alternative teether toys, cooled they provide relief and the right amount of give, and if a bit drops off….a healthy snack!

Dried Pineapple Ring

I bought these at a farm shop but they are available at wholefood stores too. As Erin chews the pinepple rehydrates and becomes a naturally sweet chewy snack.

Chunk of Apple

Simply peeled and rinsed, a chunk of apple is healthy and keeps her busy for a while.

Biscuit

Erin likes ginger flavour ones, these are a rare treat due to the sugar content, needless to say they are well received

Melba Toast

This was a Granny one, melba toast with a thin spread of butter, apparently she loved it.

Cow & Gate Cheese Biscuits

On their own or with a cheese dip. Yum!

Photos by flickr users R@punseLL and bee-side(s)

Let’s be honest babies can be a bit boring….please don’t throw rotten fruit at me….

These are some things you can do with a baby to pass the time until you can do arts, crafts and all manner of interesting and fun things

Roll the Ball

Roll the ball back and forth. This game actually ends up with you rolling the ball and you baby attempting to eat it.

Where’s the toy?

Show your baby a toy then hide it and show again. This one is good for around a minute until they try and escape to go and do something more exciting.

Highland Fling

I made up the name because we live in Scotland. It’s really the old classic of counting 1, 2, 3 and then (gently) ‘flinging’ them onto the bed.

Peek-a-boo

No explanation needed. If you don’t know how to play peek-a-boo you probably shouldn’t have a baby (joke).

Mirror Game

Go and check yourselves out in the mirror, make silly faces.

Exploring Different Textures

You will need;
some or any of the following

Wool
Fur
Tin Foil
Sponge
Velcro
Play-dough
Water
Tissue Paper

plus any other things you have which have a different texture and feel to them.

1.Put all the different textures out on a blanket and let your child feel each one. Is it hard/soft? Rough/smooth? wet/dry?

*Tip – If your child is older, blindfold them and let them feel each one and try to guess what it is.

Babies love faces, if your child is older adjust this activity so that it is a collage of different people, long/short hair, boy/girl, different races etc…

Baby Faces Collage

You will need;

Paper (large sheet)
Old magazines and catalogues
Glue
Scissors

1.Cut out baby face pictures and stick them onto paper.

Musical Instruments

You will need;

All your musical instrument toys or

pots and pans (drums)

wooden spoon (drumstick)

a tub with rice inside (shaker)

2 pot covers steel/metal (cymbals)

glass jars filled with water (xylophone or older children)

2 baby milk tins (make a great set of bongo drums)

1. Sing and play the instruments. (Get the ear plugs out!)