When you are expecting a little bundle of joy, it can be very tempting to go out and spend a fortune on cute new outfits, little shoes and toys. And who can blame you for being so enthusiastic? It is a very happy and exciting time for budding parents-to-be.

There are a number of purchases which you need to make before the little one arrives. Nappies and nursery gear are absolute essentials in contrast to various other buys, which are simply desired rather than needed.

There is nothing wrong with wanting the very best for your little girl or boy but when money is tight, you do need to be realistic when shopping.

Born Gifted has created the fundamental checklist of baby must-haves and today is part one in our series. Anything else which you want to purchase is fantastic however; these are required to raise a baby healthily and happily. If you have already had a baby before, you may not need everything on this list.

Baby changing

• Nappies- Babies go through around 10 nappies a day at first. You can choose either cloth or disposable nappies.

• Wipes- Initially, it is advised to use warm water and a cloth but then you may want to buy baby wipes. Fragrance free ones are recommended for baby skin.

• Nappy rash cream.

• Changing bag- You will need a large enough changing bag to fit some nappies, baby wipes, spare change of clothes, and milk and formula.

Bathing

• Baby bath tub- A light, portable bath tub is needed whilst your little one cannot sit up or support its own weight.

• Top ‘n’ tail bowl- This is great to wash your baby in between bath times.

• Gentle wash cloth/sponge- Use one cloth for the baby’s body and face, and a different sponge for the baby’s bottom. We advise you to have around six cloths, so you have plenty to use whilst they in the wash.

• Bath thermometer- This is essential to ensure the water isn’t too hot for your little one and is at the correct temperature of 36°C.

• Hooded bath towel- A hooded towel ensures that the baby is completely covered whilst you dry them, so they retain their body heat after the bath. Around seven hooded bath towels are fine.

• Baby shampoo/body wash- Some people choose to use baby shampoo but we advise you to just use warm water and soap at first. Products can include toxins which are not safe on the baby’s delicate skin.

If you do use them, make sure you only use well-known brands that are mild, and only use a tiny amount.

Nursery

·         Moses basket- When your baby is born, it will be too tiny to go straight into a cot. You need a Moses basket to put at the bottom of your bed, for at least the first eight weeks.

·         Cot- It is worth whilst purchasing the nursery furniture at the same time, to get a complete set. You will need a cot, a small chest of drawers, ideally with changing table facilities on top, and a wardrobe, for the baby’s clothes.

Some parents also choose to buy a recliner chair to sit in whilst feeding the baby during the night. If you want to save money, buy a cot that turns into a bed.

·         If your wardrobe does not have changing facilities on it, you will need an official changing table for changing nappies. You can buy nappy stackers which store all the nappies safely and neatly.

·         A mobile above the cot is great to help the baby get to sleep soundly.

Stay tuned for our next couple of posts, which will give you the low-down of must-haves for clothing, feeding, baby gear, health and safety, sleeping and baby toys.

The first few years in a baby’s life can fly by. One minute you are coming home from the hospital for the first time and before you know it your little one will be taking its first wobbly steps.

A child’s first steps are an iconic milestone which every parent looks forward to. But be careful what you wish for because one day he/she will be hesitantly standing, and the next they will have you running around after them.

Why is encouragement important?

It is a crucial breakthrough in a baby’s life and signifies their learning and independence. The baby will be developing its coordination skills and muscle strength.

At first he/she will learn to sit, crawl and roll over. You will probably see them trying to pull themselves up on your furniture, and soon they will have the confidence and balance to take things to the next level.

When should a baby take its first steps?

All babies are different and they learn at their own pace but the average little one starts to walk around 9-12 months. They should definitely be walking by 15 months old but don’t worry if your child is taking longer than normal.

Some babies skip the crawling stage and go straight to walking; what matters is that they are making an effort, and using their legs and arms to become mobile.

So what toys can help?

Did you know it takes around 1,000 hours of practise for a baby to be able to walk alone? You can help them prepare and develop strong muscles with toys.

• Tummy time is vital to encourage them to lift their heads whilst lying on their tummy. Motivate them by placing objects out of reach.

An activity play mat is perfect because they can reach for hanging toys.

• Once they can sit, place toys from side to side to encourage them to lean and lunge forward. Pull along toys are ideal because they encourage your baby to crawl along with the toy and follow them.

• A bouncer, or baby walker, are brilliant toys to encourage your child to pull itself up and walk. They also hold the baby in an upright position.

Make sure there are lots of colours and sounds on the walker to make the activity enjoyable.

• Rockers are fantastic to help your child’s balance. You can get all different types such as rocking horses, caterpillars and snails which are perfect for your child to sit in once they can sit up right.

So there you have it, fantastic toys to support your little one whilst they develop from a baby into a toddler.

However, it is important to bear in mind safety precautions. Now your child is mobile it will be a nipper and get around faster than you could imagine.

Childproof your home;

• Covering sharp, hard corners on tables and chair to prevent injury.
• Any furniture that is loose and can topple easily, put away.
• Pick up loose toys on the floor that your baby can fall over, and tape down loose rugs/carpets.
• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, on your child’s bedroom door, and on the kitchen door.
• Lock away in a cupboard out of reach all potentially harmful substances.
• When indoor, let your child walk barefoot as shoes can slip on wooden/tile floors.
• Protect all electrical sockets that are not being used with plastic plug covers.

Remember- every child is different so be patient and don’t wish away your child’s early years. When your baby is ready to take its first steps, it will do. Get in touch with us today for high quality baby activity toys.

Encouraging your child to start a creative project is a great way to help them to learn and is a good opportunity for you to bond with your child.

Whether it’s playing a game that doesn’t involve much electronic technology, painting, drawing or making something from scratch, these skills will help your child to develop new skills that they will gradually prepare them for future challenges.

Australian crafts brand, Makedo, has created a unique and innovative range that allows children to create many exciting things using junk. This range has many benefits as it is environmentally friendly, whilst helping your child to use their imagination and create something special out of waste products.

Makedo aims to have a positive impact on children by helping them to enjoy more traditional crafts and get a sense of satisfaction when they have produced something all on their own.

If you aren’t sure that your children will manage alone, you could always use the opportunity to work with them. By helping each other, your child will learn the importance of team work and will love the sense of achievement when they can play with what they have made.

If your little girl has always dreamed of owning a dolls house you could always buy her the Find and Make Dolls House as a compromise. The Makedo kit includes recycled items used to make the doll’s house, step-by-step instructions and also a poster to inspire your child. This also requires you to use some medium cardboard boxes and paper roll which are items that can easily be found lying around the house!

The reasonably priced Makedo range is both for girls and boys and the creative sets range from the find and make car, elephant, robot, and there’s even sets for free play and design.

Each Makedo set includes a kit with smaller items you might need and also requires you to hunt down the more simple recycled items such as a cardboard box or plastic plate.

Born Gifted has a fantastic range of children’s gifts and toys, including fun sets that are great for creative projects.