Now that you’ve welcomed your new baby home, it’s finally time to dress her up in all those cute baby clothes you’ve been eyeing for the months leading up to her birth. Keep these guidelines in mind before you head to the store, and you’ll build the ideal baby wardrobe.

Baby clothes sizing
Shop by the golden rule of baby clothes purchasing: Buy big. Most babies will outgrow newborn sizes in just a few days and three-month sizes within the first month! Unless your baby was born prematurely or at a very small birth weight, concentrating on larger sizes than your baby’s given age is a smart way to save money and keep your new baby comfortable.

When at the store, there are three things to keep in mind. First, stick to the first month listed on the tag’s age range. So, for example, if a label reads 3 to 6 months, an average-size baby is more likely to fit in it around 3 months of age. Second, look for tags that offer weight and height guidelines as well as age ranges. And third, know that sizing varies by brand, so once you find a brand that fits your new baby well, try to stick with it.

Cleaning and care
Baby clothes shouldn’t just fit well -- they should hold up and wash well too. Check the washing instructions in the tags before you buy that too-cute-for-words onesie. Caring for your new baby may not leave much time for hand-washing infant clothes. 

It’s a good idea to wash your new baby’s clothes before she wears them for the first time. Newborns have sensitive skin, and you don’t know what the items came into contact with before they hit the racks. Washing baby clothes separately is another good way to protect her delicate skin.

Ready for shoes
Shoes aren’t necessary until after your baby starts to walk -- either a bit before or after 12 months of age. Soft socks and booties will usually do the trick until then. When she is ready and walking, pick a pair that’s comfortable and flexible with nonskid soles to avoid slips and provide room to grow. It’s often best to have her little feet fit by a professional, who knows what to look for when it comes to infant shoe sizing. Before they become a prized keepsake, her first pair will most likely last two to three months, but it’s good to check on them every few weeks, as your baby is sure to be growing and developing quickly during these early formative months. 

Dressing your new baby is a ton of fun! Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll not only keep your baby comfortable but also dressed to impress!

Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash

Toddlers are messy by nature. Whether your little one has a tendency to find herself elbow-deep in backyard mud piles or catches more colds than you can count, chances are you’re ready to teach her a hygiene lesson (or two!). Luckily, she isn’t too young to start learning how to keep her body clean and healthy. Use these toddler care tips to show her how easy -- and fun! -- good hygiene can be.

Washing hands
Toddlers are hardwired to explore anything they can lay their hands on, which leaves those little mitts pretty darn dirty. To keep germs at bay, practice scrubbing together before meals and snacks, after petting the dog, and at the end of each of your toddler’s potty training sessions. Make the task something she looks forward to by using soap in fun animal shapes, singing a song while you lather, or washing her doll’s hands at the same time. Stay close by to make sure she’s doing a thorough job (she should lather for about 20 seconds).

Brushing teeth
After breakfast and before tucking in at night, help your toddler brush her baby teeth. Allow her to practice brushing her pearly whites. This will foster independence and help make the task feel like it’s something she’s choosing to do instead of being made to do. But after she’s had a go, be sure to do a spot check. Using a tiny smear of toothpaste (it is typically recommended to use toothpaste after 24 months, but be sure to check with your doctor or dentist before making the introduction), aim to brush for about 60 seconds (set the timer on your phone or use one from the kitchen).

Covering coughs and sneezes
Explain to your toddler that germs fly out the mouth and nose during a cough or sneeze, so she should try to “catch” them to prevent sickness from spreading. Encourage her to cough or sneeze into the crook of her elbow, as if she’s a vampire raising a cape in front of her face. This toddler care tip may take practice as coughs and sneezes can take your tot by surprise, but if she looks like she’s about to sneeze or cough give a quick “Catch those germs!” reminder to help make covering her mouth a habit.

Teaching your child these toddler care basics requires patience and lots of encouragement, but with time your tot will eventually learn to love these healthy habits. And once she’s an expert, she may just start reminding you to wash up and cover your coughs!

Photo by ???????? Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

A healthy diet and solid sleep are two of the most important factors for your baby’s development, and chances are you spend a lot of time trying to ensure your little one gets both. Fortunately, these two important tasks can go hand in hand. Serving up the right foods during the day and before bed can help promote good nutrition and sound sleep in your new baby or toddler. Follow these tips for sleep success.

Consider the timing: Late dinners may be unavoidable once in a while, but for the most part, try to serve this meal a few hours before your new baby goes to bed. A very full stomach at bedtime may be uncomfortable as your little one’s body will need to work harder to digest the food.

Make room for milk: Not only does milk contain calcium for strong bones, it also has tryptophan, an amino acid that’s a natural sedative. Milk is a natural sleep-friendly food, so breast- or formula-feed your new baby in the early evening or give your toddler a glass of milk with dinner.

Bland is best: Skip foods high in acid, like citrus or tomatoes, right before bed, along with dishes that are fried or heavy. These may cause reflux in your child and interrupt a good night’s sleep.

Nix the soda: Soda should be considered a very occasional treat, and not only because it often contains sugar. Some sodas have large amounts of caffeine, a stimulant that can inhibit sleep. Water and milk are the healthiest beverages by far for your little one.

Skip the sweets: Nearly every tot loves chocolate, but this treat also contains a small amount of caffeine. Bypass the candy at night and choose a piece of fruit instead.

Making dinner for your new baby or toddler is challenging enough, but if you take a little time to think carefully about sleep nutrition, you’ll be able to send your tot off to dreamland with confidence.

It may appear that little kids naturally gravitate toward their mothers, but a strong bond can definitely develop and thrive between toddlers and their dads. If you give Dad some time to form his own kind of connection, the result will be a happy, healthy relationship -- which can help boost your toddler’s development. Here’s how to encourage toddler and dad bonding.

Step back.
Allow Dad some space to work on his parenting style, even if it means biting your tongue when he sings silly song lyrics or dresses your toddler in stripes and plaids. Try not to critique his method, make suggestions, or step in to help; rather, let him figure out his own way. After all, your toddler won’t mind if his pants and shirt don’t match!

Time it right.
As you know, toddler moods can be hard to predict: One minute your little one is playing nicely, and the next he’s in tears. Toddler bonding -- and a positive experience -- won’t easily occur if your tot is having a meltdown. Give Dad a fighting chance and schedule their time together when your toddler is rested and relaxed, usually in the morning or after his nap.

Embrace the difference.
Got a Dad who’s artsy-crafty? Or one who loves sports? Whether baking or biking is his passion, dad bonding is enhanced when he shares a favorite activity with his toddler. Dads, of course, play differently than moms, so your toddler will be thrilled with the change of pace and the games he introduces. These new activities for your toddler will expose him to different ideas and forms of play, helping boost your toddler’s mental and physical development.

Start a tradition.
Saturday morning could be Dad’s special waffle day. Or sign the two of them up for evening swimming lessons. Toddlers thrive on routines, so a regular outing to the park or a nightly tuck-in from Dad is comforting both because it’s familiar and it works to bring them closer together.

Daily interaction together is the best way to form a strong dad-toddler bond. Simply being available to cuddle, hug, read a book, or sing a song means as much (or more) than a big outing to the circus. Dads play a special role in their toddlers’ lives, so celebrate this unique bond!

If you’re having a baby, it’s likely that your coffee table is stacked high with baby name books and that you’ve done more online searches for potential monikers than you can count. But if you’re still looking for the perfect name for your new baby girl, you might want to consider taking some inspiration from top baby names in other countries. Not only will it help you find an original and beautiful name for your daughter, but it can also help ensure that she doesn’t start school with a dozen other girls who have the same name! Read on for top baby girl names from around the world -- you’ll notice a few trends!

Top American baby names:
Sophia
Emma
Isabella
Olivia
Ava

Top Spanish baby names:
Sofía
Isabella
Valentina
Camila
Valeria

Top British baby names:
Amelia
Lily
Emily
Sophia
Isabelle

Top French baby names:
Emma
Léa
Clara
Chloé
Inès

Top German baby names:
Sophie/Sofie
Marie
Maria
Sophia/Sofia
Mia

Top Polish baby names:
Julia
Maja
Zuzanna
Lena
Wiktoria

Top Russian baby names:
Maria
Anastasia
Daria
Elizaveta
Anna

Top Brazilian baby names:
Júlia
Sophia
Isabella
Maria Eduarda
Manuela

Top Japanese baby names:
Yui
Aoi
Yua
Rin
Hina

More baby name ideas
For more international inspiration for baby names, try these three ideas.

1. Movie monikers: Consider renting foreign flicks or picking up a few novels by foreign authors for name suggestions.
    
2. Heritage help: Whether you have Irish or Indian background, narrowing down the baby search to baby names from that country can help direct your search.
    
3. City baby:For an original spin on baby names, pull out a map and look at names of international cities and towns. Whether or not you’ve been there before, a spot on the map could make for an unusual and special name for your new baby.

If you still don’t feel any closer to finding the perfect name for your new baby girl, don’t worry: Many new moms don’t finalize on their new baby’s name until after the birth, as sometimes it takes meeting your child to realize what you should name her! For now, make note of the names that appeal to you most, and keep your eyes (and ears!) open for ideas. You may be surprised where you find baby name inspiration!

Photo by Picsea on Unsplash