Category Archives: Baby Care

A baby girl is truly a gift from above. Every mom and dad here in Singapore spends time in picking the right name for that little bundle of joy. Parents are obsessing about what to call their babies. There are plenty of names that we can choose but we have to remember that the names we give to our children upon their birth will stick to them for the rest of their lives – no pressure intended.

Here in Singapore, choosing unusual names is quite the craze these days. Parents have the prerogative to name their children according to their will but we have to be cautious in choosing if we want our kids to be proud of their names when they get old. If we want to play it safe, we have to start our search considering the 2014 top ten baby names. Here’s the list together with their character traits:

• Imogen: Imogen is not a common name which makes it unique. Imogen comes from a Gaelic or Irish term meaning innocent or maiden. The character traits include philanthropy, oneness, idealistic, multi-talented and quick tempered.
• Charlotte: Charlotte is a French name which means womanly. The character traits include creative, optimistic, social, popular and happy.
• Isla: Isla is a Spanish term meaning island or devoted to God. The character traits include adventurous, adaptable, easy-going, sensual, rebellious and changeable.
• Cora: Cora is a Greek name which means maiden. The character traits include ambitious, strong-willed, impatient and successful.
• Penelope: Penelope is also a Greek name which is associated to the faithful wife of Odysseus but it really means something resembling to a duck. The character traits include wise, imaginative, solitary, melancholic, eccentric and mystical.
• Violet: Violet is more than a color in Latin. Violet means flower girl. The character traits include highly intuitive, truth-seeker, extremely bright and inspirational.
• Amelia: Amelia in Latin means industrious or striving – which is the embodiment of Earhart. The character traits include intellectual, sensual, freedom-loving, adaptable and adventurous.
• Eleanor: Eleanor is a Greek name meaning the shining light. The character traits include intuitive, solitary and eccentric.
• Harper: Harper is an English name which describes a person who makes the sharps. The character traits include optimistic, popular, happy and social.
• Claire: Claire is a Latin name meaning bright or famous. The character traits include dramatic, social, reckless and popular.

If we still want to choose unusual names for our children, we are free to do that but if we want them to be proud of their names, we have to pick something that distinguishes them from the rest.

One of the thrills of pregnancy is anticipating the gender of the baby and picking a name. If in this case we are expecting a baby boy, we have to pick a name that will make him stand out. The good news is that there are many names that we can choose but if we want our kids to be proud of their names, we have to pick something that is beyond ordinary but not too entertaining because either way, they will be laughed at.

We have to remember that names have character traits and somehow it will stick to them for the rest of their lives. Choosing unusual, difficult to spell and hard to pronounce names is the fad here in Singapore these days. Though it is our prerogative to pick whatever name we want for our son, we have to think of the future and imagine – would they be happy to be introduced or not?

If at this moment we haven’t picked the right name yet, we can continue our search and consider the 2014 top baby boy names. Here’s the list:

• Asher: Asher is a Hebrew name meaning happy or blessed. Some character traits are family-oriented, affectionate, sensitive, loving and compassionate.
• Declan: Declan is an Irish Gaelic name. Some character traits include being creative, optimistic, popular, happy, social and communicative.
• Atticus: Atticus is a Latin term referring to a person from Attica. Some character traits include dramatic, communicative and optimistic.
• Finn: Fin is an Irish Gaelic name which means the fair one. Some character traits include mystical, wise and eccentric.
• Oliver: Oliver is a Latin name which refers to a tree and a symbol of peace. Some character traits include oneness, independent and idealistic.
• Henry: Henry is a Teutonic name meaning the ruler of the home. Some character traits include solitary, philosophical and wise.
• Silas: Silas is a Latin name referring to something from the forest. Some character traits include being compassionate, sensitive, loving and family-oriented.
• Jasper: Jasper is a Persian name meaning the treasurer. Some character traits include community-oriented, loving and compassionate.
• Milo: Milo is a Latin name meaning the soldier. Some character traits include the master builder, organized, disciplined and leader.
• Jude: Jude is an English name meaning praise. Some character traits include solid, practical, studious, industrial and conservative.

Hopefully the list gave us an idea of what to pick because in the long run, the name is not ours to have but for our children. Picking a name should be serious and it takes time.

6 Baby Proofing Tips to Prepare Your Home for Your Baby

Baby proofing your home may seem odd when your baby can’t even play around yet, but you might be surprised as to how soon he might go around and get into things. So, take time to baby proof your home before your little one starts to crawl, or better yet, even before he arrives.

1. Tie Down Your Furniture. One of the important things you should secure when you already have a child is your furniture. Tie down your TV, dressers, bookshelves, and other heavy furniture in the rooms where your child will mostly be left alone. Also, place some corner bumpers on furniture that have sharp edges to avoid accidental injuries in case your child falls off.

2. Secure Your Toilet. While you might not see your toilet as one of the hazards, the toilet lid and the water in the bowl can actually pose some danger to a curious child. Prevent potential problems by always keeping the toilet lids down and securing it with a lid lock.

3. Fasten Cords Against the Wall. Another important thing to keep away from your curious child are the cords. Purchase cord holders to hold the longer cords of your appliances against your walls. This way, your child won’t be able to tug on any electrical wiring, keeping him safe from equipment falls caused by a few cord tugs.

4. Keep the Medicines Off Sight. Since you already have a little kid wandering around the house, keep your medicines managed by storing them in a high and locked cabinet. Also, avoid taking any medicine in front of your kid as he might imitate you later on. If possible, get rid of the medicines that you’ll no longer use through a drug take-back program.

5. Cover Up Electric Sockets. Protect your baby from electric shocks by covering any exposed sockets. Purchase childproof covers to avoid any choking hazard in case your child managed to pull them out. For an added protection, you can also place large furniture to cover the outlets.

6. Practice Toy Safety. Your child’s toys should be safe for him to play around. Its size should be larger than his mouth to prevent any choking incidents. Also, ensure that the different parts attached to each toy are securely fastened and won’t be easily torn off.

In your baby’s eyes, your house is a big playground and the best way to let your baby enjoy that playground is to keep it safe from any possible harm. So, keep your baby protected and start baby proofing your home as early as possible.