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!

 

 

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

Link

I moved to Hong Kong last year and struggled to find cute baby gifts that were special and unusual. This is why Dotty Bee was born to deliver a fresh and imaginative range, containing essential items of baby wear presented in new and eye catching ways.

Dotty Bee’s exclusive gifts include flower bouquets and cakes made from real baby clothes and personalised gifts. These gifts give the recipient the added benefit of enjoying the look of a flower bouquet or cake which they can then un-wrap to make use of 100% cotton baby clothes. Dotty Bee baby bouquets make wonderfully different gift options for baby showers, new born babies and christenings. The hand-tied bouquets are available in different colours and feature all the little luxuries a baby could want – from bibs and sleep-suits to the softest socks and muslin cloths. The world’s most famous luxury department store Harrods stocks the same products so it was only a matter of time before they hit our streets. The bouquet makes a great present for mum and then there are clothes for the little one too, making it the perfect combined gift!

The flower bouquets range from individual flower buds priced at $80 each, perfect for baby shower gifts, to an $800 flower arrangement that stands by itself. This impressive flower bouquet contains garment ‘flowers’ that are interspersed with delicate silk flowers with velvet and silk leaves and contains one hat, one pair of scratch mittens, four pairs of socks, two bodysuits and one bib. By listening to demand Dotty Bee are soon to launch bigger bouquets that keep with the current trend towards good quality practical items of baby clothing too.

Dotty Bee also provides cakes made with baby clothes. The range starts with cute cupcakes priced at $70 each, made with bibs or socks; they make a great arrangement for baby shower decorations or in baby boutiques. They contain the always useful bib or a pair of socks, a ‘delicious’ yet guilt free gift range to welcome a new born baby. Or you can choose the ultimate Celebration Cake that is sure to delight! Filled with all those baby essentials and finished with a gorgeous soft fleece blanket. Priced at $900 this includes one baby blanket, two muslin squares, four pairs of socks, two bodysuits, one sleepsuit and two bibs. All the baby clothes are 100% cotton and are proof that a gift can be both beautiful and practical with their unique range, those little necessities for a new baby are that little bit more exciting now!

Dotty Bee also sells handmade personalised pictures that make a great keepsake baby gift. Choose a 3D print design and a frame colour then add a name and date of birth. They make great gifts for a new arrival, christening or add a different message for any special occasion! Decide your own personal message to be placed on the print they are ideal for a new born baby nursery or even as a wedding present!

Since our launch in August 2011 the gifts have been really popular, I believe this is because all our gifts offer something extra special. Flower bouquets and cakes made from baby clothes are unique, they come with a gift tag to place your own message and the clothes become a practical present once the look of the bouquet or cake has been enjoyed. Our personalised framed pictures allow you to place the babies name and date of birth making them a special keepsake gift for the recipient at a special time in their life.

People are spending on new babies although they are favouring gifts of a more practical nature which is why our bouquets are currently so popular. They combine beauty with essential items of baby clothes, making a unique and practical gift!

For further information and product images please contact: Katherine Brady, telephone +852 6323 6130 or email enquiries@dottybee.com.hk