Blogroll

Fellow bloggers... if you would like to be added to my blogroll, leave me a comment below and I'll check out your blog and if it's suitable for the blogroll then I'll surely add a link to your blog. If you link back that would be great :)

Please note that your blog would need to speak about children, parenting and that sort of thing.

Google Santa Tracker

I had seen this in previous years but I forgot about it completely and came across it just by chance - the Google Santa Tracker!

Google have created a Santa village with games and other fun stuff and then on Christmas Eve Google Maps will be tracking Santa's sleigh as he travels all around the world delivering presents to the children - the ones that appear on his list of course ;)

Places to take kids in Malta

Children need entertainment. They want to run around and have fun, play and explore, be free and be happy. So where can you go in Malta that is suitable for kids?

Here's a (non-exhaustive) list of places to take your children for a few hours of fun. Note that not all places are suitable for very young kids.

I haven't included places like 'the swings' because practically each town and village has a small play area available.

I'd love for this list to remain updated and hopefully get longer so please do email me with your suggestions and recommendations and if I think that they are suitable I'll definitely add them.

Attard

• The President's Kitchen Garden - St. Anthony Street
• San Anton Gardens

Bahar ic-Caghaq

• Splash & Fun Water Park (open beginning May - beginning October)
• Mediterraneo Marine Park

Birzebbugia

• Playmobil Funpark - Industrial Estate, Hal Far

Bugibba

• Quattro Play Kids Cafe - Gifen Street
• Malta Bugibba Water Park - Promenade (summer only)

Burmarrad

• Bird Park Malta - Triq l-Imdawra

Fgura

• Jumperoo - Gallarija Shopping Complex

Marsascala

• Sant Antnin Family Park

Mellieha

• Popeye Village - Anchor Bay

Mosta

• Ludi Recreation Centre - Eucharistic Congress Street

Qawra

• Malta National Aquarium

St Julians/Paceville

• Eden Superbowl - St George's Bay
• Funland - St George's Street

Ta' Qali

• BoV Adventure Park
• Ta' Qali National Park
• Petting Farm

Bugibba Water Park

Please feel free to email me with other places - none of these are paid listings.

Different Types of Baby Poop

Poop - it's probably one of the most dreaded chores of any new parent, until you've changed so many nappies that it just becomes second nature and you would pick up poop with your bare hands if it means stopping the LO from touching it himself (or is that just me?)

However, no matter how many nappies you have changed there is always the 'what kind of poop is it?' surprise. So here's a handy visual guide (drawings not photos - though those do exist if you really want) that shows you the different types of poops that your baby may have. 

The ideal poops are 4 and 5 as they are the easiest to pass. Type 7 is too easy - poop should not be liquidy. Type 1 means constipation. In most cases a change in diet will sort out your baby's digestion but if you're concerned, it's always best to consult your doctor.

Pharmacies in Malta & Gozo

Here you can find an updated, comprehensive list of all the pharmacies in Malta and Gozo including their contact number. Most pharmacies in Malta and Gozo are open from Monday-Friday 09:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00-19:00 and on Saturday from 09:00-12:00, nevertheless this may change slightly from pharmacy to pharmacy. On Sundays and Public Holidays the pharmacies work on a roster basis.

The list below highlights those pharmacies that stay open later than regular opening hours. If you know of others that should be added to this list, please contact me with details.

Pharmacies that stay open late

• Airport Pharmacy (Luqa) - Tel: 23696349
• Castle Pharmacy (Gozo) - Tel: 21556970
• Mater Dei Hospital Pharmacy (Msida) - Tel: 25456535
• Medicaid Pharmacy & Opticians (Gudja) - Tel: 21676294/27676294
• Thomas Pharmacy (Hamrun) - Tel: 21238018

Baby's on the Way!

By your 30th week of pregnancy you want to have most things ready for the arrival of your precious bundle, for two reasons mainly:

1. Baby might decide to show up early and you really don't need to add not being prepared to that shock
2. The bigger and heavier you get, the more tired you're likely to be and the less inclined to actually do much (especially if the temperatures are either very hot or very cold).

Hospital Bag

This is based on the lists that are given but I also give my recommendations from personal experience. Don't pack everything in one bag as it's easier to unpack one bag at a time and hospital staff might need to get you some things too so you can point them to the correct bag. Also a bag on wheels is ideal to avoid having to carry anything.

Things you'll need before the baby arrives

• Medical records (your blue chart)
• Two cotton nightdresses - short sleeves are best and with a front opening for breast feeding purposes
• Slippers/socks - the slip on type are the best in case you suffer from swollen feet. Slipper socks would be ideal
• Toiletries - hairbrush, toothbrush & toothpaste; facial wipes; shower gel; shampoo & conditioner - for certain items you might want to get the travel sized bottles or even samples to avoid extra weight
• Entertainment e.g. headphones which you can plug into the hospital TV and any other electronic device that you enjoy; magazines; a good book that you truly enjoy; your phone - and any chargers!
• Snacks - stock up on anything that you enjoy. This is your time to 'indulge' (always moderately), but do ensure that you have food to nibble on. And plenty of water.

Things you'll need after you've given birth

• Maternity pads - don't skimp on these. You will be using them for a while...
• Nursing bras - two is enough. You'll stain them both.
• Disposable underwear - don't buy fancy brands. The hospital shop sells them at about €1 each and you're better off spending €10 and buying 10 pieces
• Breast pads - to minimise the aforementioned staining
• Nipple cream - yes you will need it. You might also want to buy nipple guards just in case and be prepared
• Breastfeeding pillow - necessary if you are planning to bf, so that the nurses can show you how to position the baby
• Comfortable (but nice) clothes to go home in. And note that you might need to wear open shoes (even in winter) if you suffered from water retention post-birth.
• Some extras you might want are make-up and hair straighteners/hairdryer - this all depends on how comfortable you are at being seen au natural by your visitors.
• Laundry bag - basically just a bag for you to put the dirties in to give to your partner/parent/friend to take with them so that you won't have extra things to carry when you come to leave hospital

For the baby

• Cotton wool
• Baby wipes
• Newborn-sized nappies x 2 packets
• Nappy rash cream
• Babygros - size 0-1 month or 0-3 months - if scans show that the baby is big don't bother buying any 0-1 month clothes
• Vests - sizes as above
• Socks
• Mitts
• Hat
• Baby blanket x 2 - one to cover and one to lay the baby on. They might tell you to take a towel but a soft blanket is much nicer
• Muslin squares - buy a packet; they're never extra
• Bottle and formula - if you're not planning on breastfeeding
• Outfit to go home in - babygro, mitts, hat, blanket - you can re-use what you used previously but be aware of staining incidents

And you'll obviously need a car seat to take the baby home. Don't take that with you to the hospital beforehand though (you have enough to carry). Just ask whoever is calling for you to bring it with them.