What to expect with a Rooster baby!

Congratulations if you are expecting a baby in the lunar year of 2017! According to Chinese Zodiac your baby will be a Rooster sign. We have put together some information on the character and personality of a Rooster so you can get prepared!

Your Rooster child is a self-starter, disciplined and not shy about expressing their opinions, they could even have an eccentric character! An optimistic dreamer, as his parent, you may have to stand by and watch as your fearless Rooster child heads toward certain failure, you’ll learn early that wild horses couldn’t drag them away from their intention. And, to be fair, many of the schemes do pay off!

With their boundless energy, optimistic outlook, and healthy self-regard, they are capable of reaching for the stars. Their personality can be misunderstood, imposing, opinionated and critical. However they are loved for their witty, amusing, efficient character that has a heart of gold.

The Rooster is the strutting peacock of the Chinese Zodiac! Roosters can be blind to their own faults and stubborn to accepting when they are wrong. They love taking the spotlight, and are gifted at self-expression. With their cool swagger life often leads them to a career in the public eye.

These quick thinkers are practical and resourceful; preferring to stick to what is tried and true rather than taking any unnecessary risks. Roosters are keenly observant, this quality can lead others to think the Rooster is psychic, but that’s not generally the case. This sign enjoys a keen attention to detail that makes them good at anything requiring close analysis. Roosters make great lawyers, brain surgeons and accountants.

Roosters tend to be perfectionists and expect to be in control, especially over their appearance. They also love going out and socialising, that’s after many hours of getting ready in front of the mirror. The Rooster will also be the best-dressed, style is important with this sign, regardless of the cost, so start saving now!

Roosters also expect to be in control of their surroundings, including the people that are in it. They keep a tidy house and expect others to maintain the same high standards as they do. This can cause problems with others who take a more relaxed approach to life.

Rooster Baby Parenting

Focused at school and a fast learner, they enjoy learning and will approach their studies tirelessly with 110% commitment.

The rooster likes being centre of attention, is knowledgeable and has a love of being right. They would never admit to being wrong, you can help them understand it is very human to not know everything and that we learn from being wrong sometimes.

As a parent you will certainly learn from caring for a Rooster, they sound like a great character. Good luck in the year ahead and hopefully you won’t be pulling out too many feathers!

Rooster Baby Gifts

You can add a Rooster baby gift tag design to any of our gifts with your own personal message.               We also have a Year of the Rooster baby clothes bouquet. Packed with baby clothes rolled as flowers, beautifully finished with red flowers and red floral wrap. Take a look here.

Rooster gift tag design

Year of the Rooster baby gift

 

Meet Melanie Clough, a midwife and breast feeding consultant

An interview with Melanie Clough, Midwife and Breastfeeding Consultant.

Melanie has set up a Breast Feeding Support company to help and guide new parents in their journey. She recently had her midwifery registration rubber stamped here in Hong Kong and can now offer more extended care.

We had a quick chat with her to get some snippets of her wisdom!

There’s an overwhelming amount of items you can buy to prepare for a baby arrival, a lot of them are not essential. What are the purchases you think are worthwhile?

You’re absolutely right that a lot of them are not essential and it’s so hard as expectant parents (or grandparents or aunties and uncles) not to get over-excited or overwhelmed with purchases, some of which may be redundant very quickly or are no-nos from the start, such as cot bumpers and crib toys for newborns.  Remember that your new baby is going to grow, and keep growing, quicker than you imagine.  Do buy practical, soft, comfortable clothes i.e. popper vests and sleepsuits in newborn, 1 month and 3-6month sizes.  Also cotton undersheets for crib, cot and pram. A Grobag (or other reputable brand) in the right size and of the right toggage for the season your baby needs it, and small cellular cotton or bamboo blankets for when you’re not using the Grobag (avoid the fleece ones as they’re not made of natural fibres and have very high toggage).  Muslins or soft flannels to mop up the possit (from your shoulder if not off baby’s chin).  As a rule (considering possit, poo and pee) have enough clothes for at least 3 sets on the go, 3 in the wash and 3 in the draw.

As access is an issue in HK a sling and a carrier are more important than a pram or buggie, especially to begin with.  You’ll also reap the benefits from having your hands free at home if you have an unsettled baby you can soothe in a sling (make sure you carry your newborn in a sling so that he’s “kissable” when you tilt your head down).

Lansinoh for sore nipples! (If you buy too much it’s good lip balm and hand cream!)

You’ll want a good bag to transport changing and feeding equipment but don’t be too hasty.  Wait until you’ve been out a few times so you know exactly what you need and what size and style of bag is going to work for you.

Any tips on what to take to hospital?

It’s more about how you pack it, or more importantly, how your husband sees you or helps you pack it.  It’ll most likely be him trying to find things whilst your giving increasingly frustrated directions from a birthing pool, chair, bed or shower.  Pack a 24hr bag.  Inside that put one change of lounging clothes, a nursing bra, 2 pairs of Bridget Jones pants, long sanitary towels and toiletries for yourself; and 2 vests, 2 sleepsuits, a hat and 8 nappies for the baby. In a carrier bag on top of that put stuff for delivery – what you want to wear (if you do), snacks (at least for your partner even if you don’t want/can’t have), a container for jewellery and your watch, and anything personal like an ipod and speaker. Additionally, pack things for a further 4 days in a separate bag that can either stay out of the way initially or be left in the car when you’re first admitted in labour.

When labour starts you want to stay at home for as long as possible, what are the key signs to look for that it is time to make that dash…?

The latent phase of labour can be a lengthy process of increasingly frequent and uncomfortable abdominal tightening’s that stops and starts.  During this time your cervix is ripening, becoming softer and shorter and starting to dilate a little.  The mucousy blood-stained plug in the middle of the cervix may be passed as a “show” whilst this is happening.  It’s all quite normal as long as you can feel your baby moving in a pattern that’s normal for him, you’re 37-42 weeks, in good health and have not been given any personal instructions to make early contact with the hospital.  The more mobile you can be during this time if its daytime (up and down the stairs or go out for a walk) and, if it’s night, the more rested you can be in between tightening (yes, power nap for 5 mins at a time – it makes a difference) the better.  You need to call and go in if:-

• your membranes rupture (waters break)
• you baby’s movements are not good (have a glass of cold water and sit and concentrate on them for 10mins first though)
• you have a frank, red blood loss (not mucousy)
• you have regular, painful contractions that have formed a pattern of at least every 5 mins
• you feel unwell

What should you expect your emotional state to be after labour?

Everyone’s experience is unique to them and I’d be hard pushed to find a feeling that someone didn’t have after birth.  It’s a rollercoaster!  But I suppose the most common feeling, unsurprisingly, is overwhelming relief.

What are the key benefits to having a doula/ private midwife?

Whilst doulas’ and midwives’ roles overlap to some extent they have very distinct responsibilities.  “Midwife” is the legally protected title of a professional and as such the midwife has responsibility for the mother and child in her care; she gives full midwifery care which involves all the things a doula does but also manages the labour and conducts the delivery.  A doula is an invaluable support offering massage, reassurance and techniques for coping (and I can heartily recommend Kathy http://www.kathykitzis.com/about-kathy/ if anyone is looking for a doula).

Breastfeeding can be hard at the beginning while you and your baby are learning. What are the common mistakes?

Breastfeeding is a skill, and like any skill the more practiced you are the easier it becomes.  The biggest pitfall is starting from a point where you believe it’s all going to happen “naturally” and then feeling downhearted when it seems like an uphill struggle.  First time mums often give themselves a very hard time for “doing nothing but breastfeed”.  I like to look on that first breastfeeding experience as a wonderful moment in time you’ll never get again because the next time you’ll have a toddler to look after at the same time!  Get comfy, remote control, ipad, book, phone and pint of water in reach and enjoy your new and very important job as Director of Breastfeeding.

Do watch some videos on Youtube to familiarize yourself with what a well latched baby feeding looks like.  Do get some advice or attend a session antenatally.  Call for help from hospital staff or go to a clinic or call a breastfeeding counsellor sooner rather than later after delivery.  Don’t lose heart. You’ll be doing much better than you’re giving yourself credit for.

A helpful little mantra is…..

Tummy to mummy, nose to nipple, baby to breast.

So make sure baby is positioned with his tummy to yours so his neck is not turning.

Nose at the level of the nipple so he reaches up with an open mouth to take the nipple up and into the back of his mouth.  Sometimes just lowering the baby a centimeter can make all the difference.

Bring him towards you, don’t chase him with the breast.  As he roots (moves his head to and fro), he’s working out where the nipple is as it brushes past his lips and cheeks.

What websites do you recommend for guidance on looking after a newborn and breast feeding support?

There’s no public domicillary midwifery service in HK though there are Mother and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) http://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/centre_det/maternal/maternal.html.  There are several midwives and breastfeeding counsellors (also known as lactation consultants or LCs) working in HK who will visit you at home.  There are some great websites with childbearing and breastfeeding advice such as www.kellymom.com, www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/benefits-breastfeeding.aspx on safe sleeping www.lullabytrust.org.uk.  I am very happy to come out at any stage to help you with any aspect of breastfeeding, looking after a newborn, debrief you on your delivery or provide support and give you confidence if you feel you aren’t coping as well as you’d hoped. There’s always someone to turn to and we’re happy to help.

For more information or to get in contact with Melanie please visit her website www.skbreastfeeding.com or call/whatsapp her on 6778 9102.

Baby Names & 2017 trends

Before you get pregnant you think you have your baby names in the bag, done! Naming
baby is the first big decision parents make for their child.

If you are anything like me when you sit and think about it there are a number of things you have to consider, which makes it a lot more complicated than when you first thought. The biggest issue being that I had to agree with my husband, who didn’t like any names, whatever I suggested, hmmm!

I’ve rounded up the latest tips and topics to give you the complete guide to baby-naming. Once you have a name in mind you may want to consider the following:

• The initials of the full name doesn’t make a silly or offensive word
• If the name can be shortened make sure you also like that
• If it’s a modern name make sure it doesn’t mean anything bad in another language
• If it’s a long or unique name will people be able to spell it and pronounce it right?
• What does it sound like when people who speak other languages or accents say it?
• Which last name will the baby have?
• How many names will your baby have?
• Will you opt for a gender neutral name?
• You may want to Google the chosen name

I’ve probably made this even more difficult for you now! Here are some name ideas from Disney Baby after taking a look at the trends from 2016 and making their predictions for 2017’s most popular names..

Boys:

1. Declan: A unique name that means “man of prayer.” This name is strong and masculine and a great pick for a little boy.
2. Silas: Another celebrity baby name that is rising in the charts. It’s a biblical name that also means forest.
3. Oliver: A classic name for your baby boy that means “peaceful” or  “olive tree.” We see the feminine version of this name topping the charts and the male version is doing the same!
4. Noah: Noah means “rest.” We saw this name top the chart in 2016 and we think that it will stay on the top in 2017 too.
5. Bodhi:  A name that means awakening, Bodhi might be topping the charts next year because of the new Star Wars movie coming out at the end of 2016.
6. Mason: Another name that continues to stand strong on the top of the list. This classic name for boys is one that will likely stay popular for a while.
7. Jack:  This traditional name will never go out of style!
8. William: Meaning “resolute protection,” this name continues to be on the top of the popularity list for boys’ names. It has a lot of staying power with the option of many nicknames.
9. Milo: A strong name with a unique twist. This name means “soldier” and could be the perfect choice for your little one.
10. Owen: A short and sweet name that means “young warrior.”

Girls:

1. Olivia: Olivia, meaning “olive tree,” topped the list in 2016 and was #2 spot in 2014 and 2015. Due to its ongoing popularity, we think it’s going to top the list again next year!
2. Charlotte: This name continues to rise in popularity. It’s a classic and feminine name that is the female version of Charles, meaning “free man.”
3. Amelia: Amelia has been on the top five most popular names for the past couple of years and it’s still going strong. While we don’t think it will take the top spot, it will definitely continue to be a popular name for 2017.
4. Mia: Another classic name that means “mine.” We love the cheerfulness that this name brings.
5. Emma: Another lovely feminine name, Emma means “universal.” A simple and pretty name for your little one.
6. Ava: It feels like we are hearing this name all the time now — and we think it’s going to stay that way! A popular baby name that means “like a bird,” in Hebrew.
7. Luna:  After a famous celebrity couple named their daughter this this year, we have a feeling this name is going to keep climbing up the chart. Luna, the Latin meaning of moon is a beautiful and sweet name.
8. Aria: A name that has a bit of lightness to it. Perhaps because it means “air.” It’s a unique and sweet feminine name.
9. Isabella: A name that is classic, and continues to be a constant on the popularity charts! We love the many nicknames this name has as well.
10. Arabella: This name that resembles Isabella, but is a little bit more unique. We expect to hear a lot more of this name in the upcoming year.

It’s helpful to have a baby name book to flick through, they also tell you the meanings behind each name. There’s also some good websites that you can search on when you tell them the gender and you preferences in names, try www.babynames.com

This is an exciting decision to make! Try not to over think it and let’s hope you are more decisive than my husband and I! Who was still ringing me while at the counter to register the birth to make sure we were certain.

Now to think about a baby naming ceremony…!

At Dotty Bee we provide beautiful 100% cotton baby name blankets, they make a lovely gift once a baby has been named. Take a look here

 

What you really need – Newborn baby clothing

Preparing for your first new baby is a lovely but daunting experience. With so many great products available now and so much choice it can be overwhelming, I know I was! I was living in another country to my family and so I had to start from scratch with everything. It can fast become an expensive habit and as I was so clueless you can quickly buy things that you may not use and can do without.

So here I have put together a list and information on what baby clothing you need for the first six months, from my own experience.

Babies grow fast, so it’s best not to spend a lot of money on many outfits in the smallest sizes. In the first few weeks, your baby needs clothes that are comfortable and easy to get on and off. Arrange to get the basics and you will find that friends and family will buy a lot of great outfits for the new bundle of love!

Sizes

Size 000 is intended to fit babies from 0-3 months, and size 00 is for babies from 3-6 months. Some bigger newborns might be ready to go straight into a size 00. I also had one set of premature clothing just in case, stores and online shops make it very easy for you to get more quickly if needed.

Sizes vary a lot! So trust your instinct. If you don’t know the sex then there are plenty of yellow, white and grey clothes available.

What to get

Look for stretchy bodysuits that button or zip at the front makes it easy to change a nappy, and tops with envelope necks that are easier to take off.

Clothes should be soft, comfy and easy to take care of. Cotton is most comfortable for babies. Synthetics can make your baby clammy, and wool can irritate the skin.

As a guide, the following will see you through for a newborn baby:

• 6-8 sleepsuits
• 4 vests
• 6-8 bodysuits
• 3 tops
• 3 trousers/shorts depending on time of year
• Cardigan/ jumper (if it’s winter)
• 6 Muslin cloths
• 2 Hats (if it’s winter)
• 4 Pairs of sock
• 2 Sleep bag/Swaddle

Doing laundry will now happen most days I’m afraid so you should buy clothing that can be easily washed at 40C and in an ideal world doesn’t need to be ironed.

If you are having a baby shower or friends and family ask you what you need then have suggestions in mind to tell them so they can get practical items of clothing that you still need.

Layers

It’s important to keep newborns warm, but they cannot regulate their own temperature for the first six weeks so it’s just as important that your baby doesn’t over heat.

As a guide your baby needs one extra layer of clothing more than what you’re wearing. It’s a constant worry as a new mum, but trust your instinct and layer so you can easily take clothing on and off.

Washing baby clothing

You can wash baby clothes with the rest of your laundry, but strong detergents and fabric softeners can irritate your baby’s skin. It is best to use non-bio detergent.

Cloth nappies and clothes that are soiled need to be soaked in a nappy sanitiser before washing. Nappy sanitiser also makes a great pre-soak once your baby is eating solids – even with a bib, your baby’s clothes will be covered!

I hope that helps, by doing a quick search you can find many lists and information on the internet, but try to stay focused on the necessities it is very easy to get entertained with all the cute outfits available out there!

Dotty Bee provides a baby clothing hampers for new baby gifts and is packed with all the clothing necessities a new baby needs. All our bodysuits have both an envelope neck and buttons at the bottom to make it quick and easy to change a nappy or outfit. All our clothing is made with 100% cotton, excluding the trimmings. The cotton is soft and durable and has been tested well now with my two boys and numerous customers that we have had the pleasure to send our gifts to in the last five years! To find out more about our clothing please link here.

We have just launched a yellow baby clothes bouquet and baby name blanket which makes a great gift for  a new baby, take a look here!

Here’s our winding cloth being used as a comfort blanket..bliss!

 

 

Repair & Soothe Mum & Baby Gift Set

We have teamed up with Native Essentials to give you a new mum and baby gift set with oils to soothe and repair skin issues and scars. The best bit is both oils can be used during pregnancy and on a newborn baby!

Each Native Essential product is formulated and made in an artisanal fully equipped laboratory in Hong Kong. Production is made in small batches to ensure ultimate freshness. Each ingredient that is incorporated has been directly and personally sourced, and as such Native Essentials can be personally proud and delighted to share their creations with you.

The mama and baby gift set contains a baby clothes flower bouquet and a soothing oil set from Native Essentials. The Mama and Baby Soothe & Repair Oils are two essential skin care oils for new mums and little ones, a perfect flower and gift to celebrate a new baby!

 Rosehip oil to repair broken skin and heal scars

 Calendula infused oil to soothe minor dermatitis and skin inflammation

 Ideal with nappy rashes and stimulate skin cell growth

 Conveniently packaged in roll on, very useful when travelling

To view the new product click here!

The hand-tied bouquet contains 100% cotton items of baby clothing and silk flowers. All clothing in this gift for baby are size 3-6 months, so the new parents can display the bouquet first before unwrapping the flowers to make use of the baby clothing, it’s like receiving two gifts in one a beautiful gift for new born baby!

Rosehip and Calendula are wonderful plants so gentle yet effective that can be used to soothe and heal the skin even for a newborn baby. Rosehip seeds are cold pressed to obtain a rich oil oil and Calendula flowers are gently infused in organic Sunflower oil; they are not essential oils and therefore ready for skin application. months so the recipient can first enjoy the look of the bouquet, before unwrapping each flower to unfold an item of clothing.

Rosehip oil can be used to heal the skin and stimulate new cell growth, and is perfect not only for the baby, but also as repair face oil and scar healing oil for new mamas. Calendula calms delicately inflammed skin whether it is a simple irritation or general dermatitis.

This product is free to deliver anywhere within Hong Kong!

The oil set contains:

Rosehip cold pressed oil (refined so lighter texture) + organic Vitamin E 10 ml

Calendula flowers infused in organic Sunflower oil + organic Vitamin E 10 ml

This gift set contains:

1 x Winding Cloth	1 x Hat	4 x Pairs of Socks	2 x Bodysuits	1 x Bib	2 x Oils

 

Made with true Aromatherapy products blended with premium quality botanicals. These products are nut free.

Delivered in a presentation gift box, it is delicately finished with tissue paper and an organza ribbon. There’s a gift tag to add a personal message and a swing tag highlighting the contents with care instructions. The bouquet stands by itself when it is out of the boxes to make a great display. To find out more about the baby clothes in our bouquets please click here.

Box dimensions 250 mm x 250mm x 250mm.

Our wings have spread to Singapore!

Yes it’s official we are now live in Singapore!! The lovely Niamh Daniels is managing our Singapore office and stocked with all of our best sellers!

Take a look at our Singapore website here

Even if you are not in Singapore you can order from this website to get next day delivery and free shipping in Singapore on orders over $100SGD. We can place a personal gift tag message in with your gift and send it straight to the new parents!

Our bouquets are like receiving two gifts in one! They can stand alone and be displayed like a flower bouquet, then when baby is over 3 months the flowers can be unwrapped to make use of the baby clothing! All clothing is made with 100% cotton and sized 3-6 months!

Welcome to the team Niamh. We are looking forward to this new adventure with you!

Kat x

http://www.dottybee.net

Personalize it with our new products!

Add a baby name blanket to include with your favourite baby clothes bouquet! If you are looking for a personalized gift then this product is the one!

The blanket is made with 100% cotton and can be printed with a personal name. It is extremely soft and woven on wooden looms using the finest natural cotton fibres. The blanket is size 180 x 100cm. It is perfect to cover a sleeping baby and also makes a lovely baby nursery decoration. Our blankets are supplied by Teresa’s Turkish Towels and can be used in a variety of ways which makes it a very useful gift for life! They are fast drying so a great beach towel, picnic blanket, sarong, scarf, table runner, plane snuggle, curtain, chair throw, bed throw…the possibilities are endless!

The baby clothes bouquet is made with 100% cotton items of soft baby clothing and silk flowers.The bouquet can stand alone and makes a beautiful baby nursery display. The clothing inside are size 3-6 months so new parents can first enjoy the look of the bouquet before unwrapping each flower to make use of the baby clothes. To find out more about the baby clothes in our bouquets click here.

Choose a pink or blue bouquet and blanket set then add the baby name to be printed onto the blanket. Flowers, baby clothing and a baby name blanket makes a lovely personalized baby gift and keepsake.

This product is free to deliver anywhere within Hong Kong!

Dotty Bee baby gifts, 5 years old today!

We are delighted to be five years old today! It’s such a great job sending gifts with love to newborn babies and parents on such a special time in a families life.

We have evolved and worked with our customers from small beginnings to now a business that is not only well known in Hong Kong, but  we are also now progressing overseas and have recently launched in Spain! And soon to launch in Singapore!

It’s definitely exciting times here! We have learnt a lot in the five years too. Having had babies ourselves the products have been tested well and it gives us a more relevant view into what new babies and parents really need and would like as a gift.

We are proud to say our own brand products are a great hit, we have never had a complaint about any of our products, with only positive feedback. We have learnt through the years the best courier to use for each location so ordering is a fast and reliable service. Which makes the process stress free for both of us!

From customer suggestions we have also partnered with other companies to add extra products like the Small Print kits, that offer an inkless hand and foot print. And skin care products from Native Essentials to help relax both baby and mumma, double bonus!

To celebrate hitting five years we are offering $55 off our website orders throughout the month on June. Just add code ‘5years’ at checkout to receive $55 off any order over $300!

We have plans to launch in other countries and to add some new products along the way, so look out for our updates in the future. We’ve had a great time learning and evolving and hope to be here in another five years too!

Thanks for the support we couldn’t have done it without our lovely, loyal customers!

Kat xxx

Our Yellow Bouquet in Playtimes

We are excited to be featured in this months Playtimes magazine. Our new Yellow Baby Clothes Bouquet baby gift!

Read the Playtimes Magazine page hereOur yellow bouquet contains pale yellow clothing made with 100% cotton. It’s gender neutral so can make the perfect baby shower gift! It can stand alone so makes a lovely centre piece for a baby shower table. A new baby gift that is full of clothing surprises!

Take a look at out website here.

Dotty Bee in Spain!!!

We are super excited to finally launch Dotty Bee in Spain!!!

We’re proud to introduce Ilsa who is based in Madrid and ready to send out our beautiful gifts! Please support this new venture and tell/share/like this post to get all your friends and family around Spain to support this new business!

Dotty Bee baby gifts contain clothes that are presented as flower bouquets! There’s tiny baby socks rolled up as roses? Genius!  A flower bouquet is packed with essential items of baby clothing, it’s like giving two gifts in one, a perfect new baby gift! Take a look now at are new website www.dottybee.es

Viva Dotty Bee Espania!

Enhorabuena!!!!!

Estamos muy contentos de finalmente hacer el lanzamiento de Dotty Bee en España!

Estamos orgullosos de presentar a Ilsa, quien se encuentra en Madrid y está lista para exhibir nuestras hermosas canastillas y regalos! Apóyanos en esta nueva aventura y dile a tus compañeros, comparte, dale ¨me gusta¨ a este mensaje para tener a tus amigos y familiares en España y Europa como seguidores!

Los regalos de Dotty Bee contienen ropa para bebés que se presenta en forma de bouquet de flores. Algunos son calcetines para bebés enrollados como flores, que guay! El ramo de flores está hecho con la ropa esencial de bebé, es como dar dos regalos en uno, perfecto para padres y para los más pequeñines de la casa! Echa un vistazo a nuestra página web www.dottybee.es.

¡Que viva Dotty Bee España!