There are lots of different baby classes to think about when you have a little one and it can feel a bit overwhelming.

While baby massage may sound a bit strange, it’s actually scientifically proven to have loads of fabulous health benefits for your baby. It can even improve sleep (every parents biggest worry!).

In her latest blog, Dr Lin Day, renowned parenting expert and founder of hugely successful national franchise Baby and Toddler Sense, explains more about the importance of phsyical affection and touch for babies…

Babies have a biological need for close physical affection. Nothing is more important to their emotional, physical and intellectual development than a comforting cuddle or a loving touch. What’s more, babies who are cuddled, stroked and caressed are more likely to grow up to be loving social beings. They also gain independence and confidence, which leads on to an important milestone by the end of the first year: the ability to play alone.

Babies who are regularly held and touched also gain weight faster, develop stronger immune systems, crawl and walk sooner, sleep more soundly and cry less than babies deprived of close physical contact. Studies have also shown that children who are given plenty of physical affection show more task-oriented behaviour too, less solitary play and less aggression at school.  In the absence of touch stimulation, release of important growth hormones may be inhibited in all parts of the body as well as the brain, liver and heart. 

Touch therapies

Many of the touch therapies that have been practised for thousands of years in cultures across the world are now gaining acceptance as intervention or therapeutic therapies. Skin-to-skin and massage for example, can produce positive benefits for babies with colic and constipation, respiratory and sleep problems. They also stimulate nerves in the brain that aid digestion and are particularly beneficial for babies with feeding difficulties, and for infants with health problems. 

Feldman et al. (2014) found that premature infants gained from skin-to-skin contact with their mothers 10 years after birth. Specifically, researchers compared standard incubator care to skin-to-skin contact, which uses the mother’s body heat to keep the baby warm. They found that at 10 years of age, children who received maternal contact as infants, showed more organised sleep, better neuroendocrine response to stress, more mature functioning of the autonomic nervous system, and better cognitive control. 

Massage

The positive effects of massage have also been noted in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, Down syndrome, dermatitis, stress and immune function disorders and in adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and osteoarthritis.  Babies with Down syndrome have improved muscle tone and show a better performance on motor tasks following regular massage. 

Children with autism also benefit from massage, probably because it is predictable. Massage has an important emotional element for parents too because it provides an opportunity for them to get involved in a warm and loving way with their baby. It can also help parents who have been struggling to bond with their babies in the early stages of life. 

Through baby massage, the muscles receive a good circulation of blood, which strengthens them for movement. The circulatory system in the hands and feet of the newborn is undeveloped: massage helps them to become warm. Massage also opens the pores and encourages the release of sebum, which prevents microorganisms from entering the baby’s body. Babies who are regularly touched have a more stable heart and breathing rate and are often less tense and irritable. 

The other key benefits of baby massage include:

• Decreased stress and anxiety
• Improved circulation
• Restful sleep
• Improved feeding patterns 
• Increased alertness
• Reduced pain in teething 
• Increased peak air flow in babies and children with asthma
• Improved muscle flexibility and motor function
• Increased intellectual development
• A happier, healthier baby

Babies crave close contact

Some psychologists believe that one of the reasons why babies crave close contact is because of the need to recreate conditions experienced before birth. Techniques that mimic a womb-like environment include bathing, hand containment and skin-to-skin contact. Cuddling has a similar effect and reminds the baby of the sensation of being constantly rocked by the amniotic fluid in the womb. 

Physical contact positively influences the development of the brain and deepens the relationship between mother and child. It also spells love, involvement, care, security and protection. Without it, they will not grow and develop into normal, happy, healthy children or adults. 

The most important guideline in touching young children is in respecting their likes and dislikes. A tickling or playful activity must be ceased immediately and without question if the child squirms, winces or cries. 

Strengthening the bond

There are also a number of other benefits to baby massage which support a child’s learning and development as well as therapies such as baby hand, foot and ear reflexology, baby yoga, sensory activities, bonding and attachment techniques, back to womb containment and also regular communication such as singing, listening to music and baby signing.

Baby massage is certainly one sensory delight that really strengthens the bond between parent and child because it provides an opportunity for parents to express their love. Babies usually feel very relaxed afterwards and sleep better. The skin-to-skin contact also has significant benefits on relationship building between the parent and baby. It also reduces the baby’s stress levels, builds up resistance to infection and can get breastfeeding off to a good start.

Dr Lin Day (PhD, M. Phil, PGCE, FETC, BSc, Dip Ed), is one of the UK’s leading parenting experts and a renowned author within the field of childcare and education.  She is also the founder and director of the multi-award winning national and international baby and toddler activities, Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense.

The post The Power of Touch: The Benefits of Baby Massage appeared first on Baby Names.

Choosing a name for your precious newborn baby girl is by no means easy.

With so many things to consider, from how the name sounds to how unique (or popular) it may be, it’s worth researching a whole host of possible names to ensure you can find the perfect one for you.

While you might already have some favourite names, chances are you won’t necessarily be aware of how popular they are (and whether or not their popularity is rising or falling). To help, we’ve compiled this handy list of the top 100 girl names from across the last year (using official ONS data).

You can find out more about each of the individual names by clicking the links or to create a shortlist of your favourite names, view the top 100 with a quick overview of key facts and meanings here.

Expecting a boy? Find out the top 100 most popular baby boy names (and their ranking) here. 

The post The 100 Most Popular Baby Girl Names appeared first on Baby Names.

These 5 girl names all dropped out of the top 100 baby girl names this year according to the latest ONS data (find out which ones are the most popular 100 here). 

Clearly they’re not as en-vogue as they once were, but if you’re looking for a different girl’s name they could be just right.

Julia

Julia dropped 20 places this year to be ranked the 111th most popular baby girls name.

It’s a pretty, feminine name of Latin origin that means ‘youth’.

Despite a fall in popularity, it’s still more common than similar sounding name Julie which is not even in the top 1000!

Darcey

There were three spelling variants of the name Darcey in the top 100 girl names last year but only ‘Darcie’ remains.

It’s a french name that can also be a surname but despite it having a real popularity spike across the last few years it’s now becoming far less common.

This spelling dropped 24 spots this year.

Victoria

Just outside the top 100 is quintessentially-royal name Victoria (ranked 101).

While Queen Victoria is arguably one of the most famous queens in all of history, the name has been declining in popularity in the UK for the last few years.

With lots of potential nicknames like the obvious Vicky, to more unusual shortenings like Tor, it’s still a strong name that offers lots of options.

Leah

389 people named their baby girl Leah last year compared to 546 the previous year.

It’s a biblical name with Hebrew origins and a slightly unusual meaning of ‘weary’ but could be thought of in a more positive light of ‘relaxed’ or ‘chilled’.

If you’re hoping for a calm baby this could be a great choice.

Megan

Whilst it’s a popular welsh name, Megan is dropping in favour across England and Wales combined.

The name has a really pretty meaning of ‘little pearl’.

Although we thought Meghan Markle might bring the name back into fashion, we’ve yet to see a spike in popularity in the UK just yet.

Still not found the perfect name? Why not try our name builder or search our thousands of baby girl names here.

The post 5 Baby Girl Names That Are Going Out of Fashion appeared first on Baby Names.

One of the biggest worries for expectant parents with existing children is how the new arrival will impact its sibling (or siblings).

It’s undeniably a big change for all of the family, but there are steps you can take to prepare everyone for what’s coming and adjustments to make once the baby arrives.

Dr Lin Day, renowned parenting expert and founder of hugely successful national franchise Baby and Toddler Sense, shares her tips and insights for coping with sibling rivalry…

It is inevitable that most parents will spend more time getting to know their first baby than they will their second or third.

Every phase of development is new and exciting with a first baby, who naturally receives a lot of time and attention as a result. With the birth of a second child, parents tend to be less anxious, more relaxed and more flexible – and they need to be, now that they have another child in the mix. This second baby is coming into an experienced family.

Most parents have established collective patterns and individual methods that they feel comfortable with, and will have a good idea of how they are going to manage the new arrival. A second or third baby tends to fit into the family routine without any major changes – at least, for the parents.

Life turned upside down

But for one person in particular, a new baby can be very disorientating. For an older sibling, gaining a new younger brother or sister can be the most impactful thing that has ever happened to them. In short, the child’s life is about to turn upside down.

Picture the scene: here is a child who is used to getting a certain amount of attention, expects certain things to happen at certain times of the day and has already established a view of their own ‘small world order’ from an early age. Suddenly, a new little human being arrives that takes up much of the family time, makes so much noise and demands so much attention. It is unsurprising, and quite forgivable, that some children find it very difficult to adjust to a new baby and react by demanding even more attention. After all, they need their needs to be met as much as the newest arrival does.

Parents will introduce their new baby to its sibling in a number of different ways; one mother recalled how she purposely designed the meeting between the new baby and sibling with great care: She said, “I made sure I wasn’t holding the baby when my first child came to meet her new brother in hospital for the first time. So, I got up and met her at the door on my own and walked her to the cot where he was, so we met him together. She gave him a present, and he gave her a present. I think it made a massive difference.”

Easing anxiety and resentment

It can help tremendously to maintain elements of family life that older children can rely on as constant and familiar. Keeping set times for meals, play, sleep, continuing bed time routines and rituals as well as carving out consistent, dedicated one-on-one time for the parent and child (however short), will help counteract any negative impact of this major change, and reassure them that they are still important – which is of course what they want to hear.

Encourage older siblings to visit the new baby in hospital as soon as possible after the birth, try putting the baby in the cot so parents can spend one-on-one time with them, and having some new toys on hand can help ease any anxiety or resentment about the new baby.

Although the new baby will need frequent feeds and attention, babies can and do fit into another child’s routine. What were previously one-on-one quality activities such as reading a story, having a bath or enjoying action songs together can be carried out when the baby is nursing or sleeping, or even turned into family time by including the baby.

Learning to cooperate and compromise

Even if the toddler or child appears to love the new baby, she still needs to learn how to touch him, where to kiss, how to play and importantly, when to stop. A toddler who pokes or squeezes her baby brother or sister may not realise the consequences of her own strength and however gentle, should never be left alone with a newborn baby. If the parent does need to leave the room, the toddler should go too.

Getting cross or discouraging contact can make the older sibling feel left out and unwanted. Similarly, trying to protect the baby by using a bouncer or car seat for long periods may inhibit floor play and tummy time, which are important for physical and mental development. Better then to supervise floor play, to provide interesting toys for the older child to explore alongside her new sibling and to continue with beneficial tummy time or family playtime rather than avoid it altogether. By including the child in safe and enjoyable play, she will soon learn to cooperate and compromise, and continue to feel an important part of the family.

Toddlers between the ages of two and three will still be dealing with their own turbulent emotions when the new baby comes along.Temper tantrums are common because of stored emotions, fears or frustrations – all of which need to be released. A big emotional wave such as screaming, shouting or crying may seem like ‘acting out’ but it helps to expel negative feelings towards the baby. It’s very likely that parents will become the target of these negative feelings.

Stored emotions can be hard to manage

Biting, hitting, waking in the night, thumb-sucking and generally picky behaviours are all signs that the toddler has stored emotions that are hard to manage. Although it can be disruptive and frightening when the toddler behaves in such a way, it is worth remembering that it is a very natural and normal part of their development.

Try to make as little fuss as possible. If the parent overreacts, the behaviour may be continued. It is far better to look into the toddler’s eyes and ask her if she can describe how she feels. She probably won’t give an answer, but will writhe and squirm, wriggle away, cry, laugh or have a tantrum. These are good signs and major steps in the tension release process. A soothing hug or from the parent will provide reassurance and comfort. Gentle physical contact can lower stress levels (for both) and re-establish the loving parent-child connection.

The more an older sibling gets to know her new brother or sister as an individual person who is capable of interacting with her from birth, the sooner a special, unique and enduring relationship with the baby will develop. This process can also start well before the baby is born.

Why not try the following tips?

*Get your child to help to pack your maternity bag

* Take your child along to antenatal appointments

*Visit the maternity unit together and talk about the new baby being born

*Choosing baby clothes, nappies and equipment together

*Selecting gifts and toys for the new baby

*Decide how the nursery will be decorated

*Visit friends and family who also have new babies

*Looking at pictures of babies in magazines and books

*Share photographs of the older child as a baby Discussing potential baby names with the child

*Have fun bathing, changing and cuddling a baby doll

A major life-changing event

Despite all of the planning and preparation though, the child may still react by ignoring the baby or by demanding more attention. Rest assured that this is perfectly normal behaviour. After all, bringing home a new baby is a major life-changing event. Any change, especially one that involves a different routine, will be very disorienting to the child. Don’t be surprised if your child reverts to baby talk too; it is part of the adjustment process.

Adjustment to a new baby will depend on pre-planning and preparation, the child’s personality, age and stage of development and her relationship with her parent/s. Ultimately, the child needs to know that she is still loved and wanted. Cuddles are important at any major life-changing event, and also throughout life. They can make a real difference to how the child feels and behaves and to relationships in the future.

Dr Lin Day (PhD, M. Phil, PGCE, FETC, BSc, Dip Ed), is one of the UK’s leading parenting experts and a renowned author within the field of childcare and education.  She is also the founder and director of the multi-award winning national and international baby and toddler activities, Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense.

The post Coping with New Babies and Sibling Rivalry appeared first on Baby Names.

One of the most exciting things about being an expectant parent is browsing the aisles of cute baby clothes and accessories.

But what are actually the essentials?

In this blog, Amisha Mody shares her expertise as a Babycare Buyer combined with her experiences as a first-time mum…

Let me start by saying that in spite of being the Babycare Buyer for three years at Ocado, when I found out I was pregnant, my brain split into two halves. 

During the day, I was the smart, professional who over time had entrenched herself into the market and had learnt everything there was to know about the products on offer. But when I came home at night, I left all logic at the front door and morphed into a ridiculously excited and hugely irrational first time mum. 

Every evening I would settle down after my delicious, indulgent dinner (the waistline was going to expand anyway, I figured I may as well help it along with some cheese and chocolate!) and spent hours trawling the internet. I was the worst type of expectant mum and the formula was dangerous:  

Knowledge of all possible products x unadulterated excitement = potential for lots of inappropriate and unnecessary purchases! 

It’s easy to get carried away when having a baby and the assault of marketing messages, health guidance and ‘tips’ from lovely ladies in the supermarket is enough to take anyone straight from baby brain to brain dead! The average parent spends £11,000 in the first year on their child and as most households will go down to one income whilst the baby is small, financial prudence is critical. 

So, in the spirit of learning (and laughing at) other people’s mistakes, I thought I would share my lessons for pregnancy planning:

#1 If you don’t know, don’t guess!

I have spent my whole life hearing wonders about a ‘Mother’s Intuition’ and when I was pregnant, I magically got the gift too. Being a girly girl myself, I just knew I was carrying a precious little girl. We didn’t find out the sex of the baby because we didn’t need to – my princess and I had that amazing connection! Of course I nearly fell off the operating table when the obstetrician told me I had delivered a boy. I even asked him to check again! 

Whilst I recovered in hospital, my husband had to run home and quickly re-wallpaper over the pink stripes with jolly blue monkeys and I learnt an expensive lesson; maybe Mothers Intuition exists but in my case the channel was awry and some fine tuning was required! 

#2 Think caveman

Back in the Stone Age, when a baby was born all they would need was a fire and a little leaf to cover their modesty. Whilst I’m not suggesting you dress your newborn in foliage, fast forward to today, and your baby still doesn’t need much on arrival. 

Before your little one is born, it’s wise to cram in as much research as possible and shortlist the things you think will be necessary. However, only buy the essentials for the hospital and first few weeks at home. 

Most retailers offer a next day delivery service and once your baby arrives, you will be best placed to judge whether you still want that item or require something different. Babies need very little when they are initially born so don’t go crazy on the buying – your home will become a jungle of toys, bikes and playdough in no time – enjoy the serenity of living minimalistically whilst you can!

#3 Colour me happy

Whilst once upon a time you would pour over the latest bags from Prada, you are now likely to be dreaming of the latest colours of prams. Just like the catwalk, each season, manufacturers tend to release new shades and hues of the same model.

Unless you are joining a very trendy Buggy Running club, it is wise to look to see if you can get the same pram in a similar colour. Sometimes by selecting a different hue from a previous ‘season’ you can save up to £100!

Shopping for your new baby is one of the most exciting parts of the nesting process. If you aren’t already feeling the little flutters from your baby, just holding those baby booties is enough to make your heart flicker with love. 

Of course, the best bit is that it’s guilt free too! No more hiding shopping bags in the car until your partner is asleep – you can parade those Mothercare bags with pride. But shop wisely and slowly as every penny you save can go towards a beautiful new maternity dress for you! #WinWin!

NeeNoo is the UK’s first price comparison site for baby products. Its mission is to simplify the shopping journey for new and existing parents. Created and founded by former Babycare Buyer for Ocado, Amisha Mody, NeeNoo compares the prices of baby products and showcases parent reviews.

The post 3 Invaluable Shopping Lessons From a Babycare Buyer and New Mum appeared first on Baby Names.

Traditional and old-fashioned names are more popular than ever but these vintage names are still that little bit unusual.

So, if you’re looking for a pretty girls name with a nod to the past, check out our list below.

Let us know if you would choose any of these names for your little girl.

Ada

The post Vintage Baby Girl Names appeared first on Baby Names.

And while browsing fabulous parenting and naming sites (like ours!) is of course a great place to start, if you’re really struggling to find the perfect moniker, there are also some more unconventional places to find baby name inspiration too.

From immersing yourself in coffee shops to turning to your favourite hobbies and passions, if you’re looking for a unique baby name, think outside the box with our suggestions below…

Your family tree

Family is one of the places lots of people start when thinking about baby names. Often grandparents names are used as middle names or particular names are passed on from generation to generation.

But with classic and traditional names making a real comeback, why not try looking a little further back in your family history for inspiration.

Research your family tree and see if there are any names of more distant or past relatives that you fall in love with.

A name with a family connection always feels extra special so that’s an added bonus too!

Listen out in coffee shops

If there’s one place that you’re guaranteed to hear a range of eclectic and diverse names it’s sitting in a coffee shop while baristas hand out coffees.

Not only might you hear names you may not have previously thought of (or even have known about) but you’ll also hear the wonderful ways in which certain names can be mispronounced.

You might find an alternative version of a classic name you actually prefer – or it might help you eliminate names that are too tricky to say or spell.

It’s great to hear potential names said aloud by different people and just the sheer fact of taking the time to sit in a coffee shop and really think about names might ignite a spark of inspiration…

Look into other cultures and languages

If you’re struggling to find a traditional name that you like, why not look a little further afield. 

Lots of american names are becoming increasingly popular in the UK (often thanks to popular TV shows and films) but what about looking at our european neighbours. Pretty french name Amelie is now in the top 100 baby girl names. A number of Arabic names are also becoming more widespread in the west and can bridge different cultures by offering a traditional heritage but with a modern-sounding name. Zahara, the name of one of Angelina Jolie’s children, is a great example.

If there’s a name you like that you feel is too popular in the UK, you could investigate the equivalent in other languages. Sticking with the french theme, Sidonie is the french version of Sidney and sounds much more exoctic and unique! 

Don’t feel you have to choose a name you’ve heard locally, the world is literally your oyster when it comes to baby names.

Think about your hobbies and passions

While people often think of naming their children after loved ones, or even places that they have a special connection with, another option is to look for baby name ideas in your favourite passions and hobbies.

We’re not necessarily suggesting you name your baby ‘tennis’ or ‘knitting’ (although we’ve heard stranger names), but you could look to your favourite sporting heroes or artists. There’s many a story of babies named after famous footballers (sometimes without both parents being aware that’s where the inspiration came from!).

Or, what about thinking even more creatively. The names of pieces of music or an album you and your partner love, or what about a play on a word 

Visit cemeteries

This may sound a little morbid, but cemeteries can be a great source of name inspiration. If you have a cemetery local to you that you often walk past, take a wander through it and spend some time reading all the names on the headstones while you pay your respects.

If you’re looking for a vintage name for your girl or boy, there’ll be plenty to discover.

And if you’re still really struggling for baby name ideas, why not try our name generator. In a few simple steps you can build your perfect baby name…

The post 5 Unusual Places to Find Baby Name Ideas appeared first on Baby Names.

Our ‘Diary of’ series is back with a bang, and this time mum Holly shares how even after writing a baby names book she still struggled to find the perfect name for her own daughter.

From having to choose a name to complement a common surname to accent issues, Holly shares her naming journey…

Before I started my own family I worked on a baby names book; doing all that research made me think I was something of an expert (I even appeared on TV to discuss celebrity baby names). However, when the time came to pick a name for my own daughter, I realised there were 2 aspects to choosing a name that were specific to my situation and which had a huge bearing on our choice: 

1. Choosing a name that went with ‘Smith’  

2. Choosing a name that sounded good in both my native Glaswegian accent and in the ‘sarf London’ twang of our adopted home.

Dealing with a common surname

The first part of this challenge was new to me, I had an unusual surname growing up and a relatively uncommon first name so I had never thought about the impact of having a popular name when it came to picking a name for my baby.

My husband, on the other hand, grew up with ‘Smith’ as a surname and Andrew as a first name (the patron saint of Scotland) meaning he was all too aware of what it was like to grow up having the same name as a number of other people.

So, the answer was obvious, we would choose an unusual name. However, we quickly came to realise that the really unusual names simply don’t go with Smith, they give the impression of a flavour palate that’s not been totally thought through.

Estella Smith or Ophelia Smith just didn’t work for me. We decided to dial back the ‘unusual’ criteria and tried to find a balance between unique and traditional that went well with our surname.

Names and accents

This is when we came up against the next unforeseen challenge in choosing a name for our little bundle; how names sound when spoken in different accents. My husband and I both come from Glasgow and so we applied the classic ‘[name] get in for your tea!’ test to our shortlist of names.

We soon found that names like ‘Alana’ sound lovely when spoken by one of the cast of Pride and Prejudice but less so when yelled in the style of Rab C Nesbitt. On the other hand, ‘Pearl’ doesn’t sound right to me when pronounced by someone who grew up south of the Border, there’s just too few syllables. And any name beginning with ‘H’ certainly doesn’t work in south London (as a Holly I’m now trained to answer to Olly).

Yet another consideration to add to the growing list of ‘things to think about when choosing a name’ (along with initials, potential nicknames, TV or film characters with the same name, popularity, not to mention actually liking the name!).

Finding the perfect name

Then one day, I was scrolling yet another ‘list of lovely baby girl names’, when there it was: ‘Penelope’. I said it to myself, I liked it. I whispered it to myself, I really liked it. I shyly said to my husband, “What about Penelope?”. He repeated it. He smiled and said “I like it”. Then we realised that we also loved ‘Penny’.

It worked in our accent. It worked in our neighbour’s accent when I sneakily got them to say it (I’m still proud of myself for working that one into conversation by pretending I had forgotten the word for a little copper coin, “oops baby brain!”). It went well with Smith. It had Classical origins and a meaning that we liked (patience). Finally, we had a front-runner!

Meeting our beautiful baby girl

I’m a big believer in having a look at your baby before making a final decision on a name but along with a couple of other options (which looking back never felt quite right), Penny remained a firm favourite.

2 weeks later than expected and after a rather dramatic entrance via an emergency C-section, I groggily looked at my beautiful baby girl and said “Hello, Penelope”. Now I can’t imagine her having any other name.

For anyone still desperately searching for that perfect name and coming up against unexpected road bumps, my advice would be to keep looking, keep testing out how names sound when spoken (by a few different people) and assess how they look written down. 

If all else fails, go and hang out at Starbucks and listen to the baristas shouting out the names for the coffee orders; it will certainly let you know the many ways in which names can be mispronounced and still sound beautiful!

Read more mum and dad diary entries in our baby names blog here.

The post Diary of a Mum: Battling Common Surnames and Dual Accents appeared first on Baby Names.

Becoming a new parent is undeniably daunting. But one thing you won’t be short of during your pregnancy is advice.

Always well-intentioned, but not always well-delivered, people can’t help but share a plethora of dos and don’ts – based on their own experiences, old wives’ tales, things they’ve read etc.

While a lot of it will probably prove helpful, it can feel a little overwhelming, to say the least.

And, more importantly, every baby is different – and so too is every parent – so just because so-and-so found Mam bottles or Sleepyheads a lifesaver doesn’t mean you will. 

A lot of advice can feel a little subjective, and what you really need in those early months is practical tips that are guaranteed to make your life as a new parent easier.

There are some great parenting hacks out there, but for some reason they never seem to appear in parenting books and existing parents often forget to share them because they can seem almost too obvious to them.

So, we’ve done the hard work for you, and rounded up 8 parenting hacks (plus a bonus one) that really will change your life as a parent…

The post 8 Parenting Hacks That Will Change Your Life as a New Parent appeared first on Baby Names.

Here at My 1st Photos HQ, we’re in a pretty unique position to be able to spot current baby name trends! This is because most of our customers choose to add their baby’s name to the front of their My 1st Photos fabric photo album.

From the latest fashion accessory must-have to the boxset everyone’s watching – us Brits love being part of a trend and baby names are no exception. After all, who doesn’t love being swept up in the excitement of being part of the in-crowd? Lately, we’ve noticed a huge baby name trend for, well, trends; whether that’s a surge of old-fashioned names or a rise in surnames as first names, these baby names are so on-trend, they’ve fallen into their very own! 

Read on to discover which name categories are strutting their stuff on the baby name catwalk.

Read more: find out the top baby boy names set to explode in popularity next year here.

The post The 5 Biggest Baby Name Trends of 2019 So Far… appeared first on Baby Names.